The Exploitation of Network Structures in Management Science

Networks occur in electrical circuits, power transmission, switching systems, highways, pipelines, and many other areas. The paper surveys the many applications in which network structures have been exploited in the construction of management science models, and the manner in which network algorithms have been used to solve problems that are not naturally network problems. The discussion will be divided into three major areas; (1) Optimization using an existing network, (2) Applications using network algorithm, (3) Optimal network design. Since management science is a multi-disciplinary activity the applications will span many traditional areas. The emphasis will center on the description of the problems and their corresponding network structures, and will only indicate the existence of solution techniques for these problems that have been solved. (Author)