Efficient Computation of Influential Users in Social Networks

This thesis studied the topic of influential users computation, which aims to explore the mechanism and methodology of influence diffusion through social networks. In partially, three fundamental objectives on influential users computation are explored: (i) find influential users to spread influence while both considering cyber interactions and physical interactions of users; (ii) enhance community engagement of social networks; and (iii) track critical users to reinforce communities, while social networks are continuously evolving.