Spoivost

Spoivost is a term used in some scholarly contexts to describe the capacity of a system to remain integrated in the face of disturbance. It denotes the strength and effectiveness of the connections binding components together, contributing to cohesion, resilience, and coordinated action. There is no universally accepted definition, and the term is used variably across disciplines.

In materials science, spoivost can refer to the level of interfacial bonding or cross-link density that gives a material its mechanical integrity and resistance to fragmentation. In ecology and sociology, it is often used metaphorically to characterize the degree to which members of a network—such as species in a mutualistic web or individuals within a community—maintain interactions under stress. In information networks, spoivost may be linked to redundancy, path diversity, and the ability of information to propagate despite node failures.

Measurement of spoivost is not standardized. Researchers may assess network robustness through metrics like connectivity, clustering, percolation thresholds, or failure simulations, and relate them to practical outcomes such as durability, adaptability, or social stability.

The term is a neologism with roots implying binding or glue, and its precise origin and conventional usage remain unsettled. It is most often encountered in theoretical discussions rather than formal taxonomies, and its interpretation depends on the disciplinary context.

See also cohesion, network robustness, cross-linking, resilience.