Structural Equivalence: Meaning and Measures

In social network analysis, two nodes are considered structurally equivalent if they have the same neighborhoods - that is, they are connected to the same others. Initially introduced as a convenience for creating reduced models of networks, it was soon seen as a way to formalize the concept of relational role or position. To the extent that characteristics of nodes are shaped by their social environments, we expect structurally equivalent nodes to develop similar characteristics. Structural equivalence has been used to explain similarities in beliefs and attitudes, the adoption of innovation, the evolution of interfirm networks, political affiliation, the structure of trade among nations, and the effects of technology change.