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arXiv · 1411.4756

Diversification versus specialization -- lessons from a noise driven linear dynamical system

Gabriell Mate·Zoltan Neda
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Abstract

Specialization and diversification are two major strategies that complex systems might exploit. Given a fixed amount of resources, the question is whether to invest this in elements that respond in a correlated manner to external perturbations, or to build a diversified system with groups of elements that respond in a not necessarily correlated manner. This general dilemma is investigated here using a high dimensional discrete dynamical system subject to an external noise, analyzing the statistical properties of an order parameter that quantifies growth. Our analytical solution suggests that diversification is a good strategy once the system has a fair amount of resources. For systems with small or extremely large supplies, we argue that specialization might be a more successful strategy. We discuss the results also from the perspective of economic and biologic systems.

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Gabriell Mate, Zoltan Neda. 2014-11-18. Diversification versus specialization -- lessons from a noise driven linear dynamical system. https://arxiv.org/abs/1411.4756

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