Network Science
Scale-Free Network
A network whose degree distribution follows a power law, meaning a few nodes (hubs) have many connections while most nodes have few. The same pattern appears at any scale of observation.
Biological Context
The internet, social networks, metabolic networks, and protein interaction networks are approximately scale-free. This structure emerges from preferential attachment (new nodes connect preferentially to well-connected nodes). Scale-free networks are robust to random failures but vulnerable to targeted attacks on hubs.
Business Application
Most business networks are scale-free: a few key players dominate connection counts. Understanding this structure reveals vulnerabilities (hub removal) and opportunities (become a hub).