Capturing Tie Strength in Higher-Order Social Networks using Algebraic Topology
Tie strength, which captures the intensity of a relationship between two individuals, is associated with the position of the tie in the broader social structure. This work introduces three structural measures based on algebraic topology to characterize the network context and influence of an edge, and shows that these measures outperform standard network proxies in estimating tie strength. The measures also explain a puzzle wherein certain bridging ties are surprisingly strong.