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In Search of Stars: Network Formation among Heterogeneous Agents

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Author Info
Goeree,Jacob K.
Riedl,Arno
Ule,Aljaz (METEOR)

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Abstract

This paper reports the results of a laboratory experiments on network formation among heterogeneous agents. The experimental design extends the basic Bala-Goyal (2000) model of network formation with decay and two-way flow of benefits by allowing for agents with lower linking costs or higher benefits to others. We consider treatments where agents’ types are common knowledge and treatments where agents’ types are private information. In all treatments, the (efficient) equilibrium network has a “star” structure. We find that with homogeneous agents, equilibrium predictions fail completely. In Contrast, with heterogeneous agents stars frequently occur, often with the high-value or low- cost agent in the center. Stars are not borne but rather develop: in treatments with a high-value agents, the network’s centrality, stability, and efficiency all increase over time. Our results suggest that agents’ heterogeneity is a major determinant for the predominance of star-like structures in real-life social networks.

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Paper provided by Maastricht : METEOR, Maastricht Research School of Economics of Technology and Organization in its series Research Memoranda with number 032.

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Date of creation: 2005
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:umamet:2005032

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Keywords: microeconomics ;

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  1. Jackson, Matthew O., 2005. "The economics of social networks," Working Papers 1237, California Institute of Technology, Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. [Downloadable!]
  2. Michael McBride, 2003. "Position-Specific Informtion in Social Networks," Levine's Bibliography 506439000000000265, UCLA Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  3. Sanjeev Goyal & Marco van der Leij & José Luis Moraga-Gonzàlez, 2004. "Economics: An Emerging Small World?," Working Papers 2004.84, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei. [Downloadable!]
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  4. Jackson, Matthew O. & Rogers, Brian W., 2005. "Search in the formation of large networks: How random are socially generated networks?," Working Papers 1216, California Institute of Technology, Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences. [Downloadable!]
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  5. Gary Charness & Matthew Rabin, 2002. "Understanding Social Preferences with Simple Tests," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series 1042, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley. [Downloadable!]
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  6. Venkatesh Bala & Sanjeev Goyal, 2000. "A Noncooperative Model of Network Formation," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 68(5), pages 1181-1230, September.
  7. Michael Kosfeld, 2004. "Economic Networks in the Laboratory: A Survey," Review of Network Economics, Concept Economics, vol. 3(1), pages 19-41, March. [Downloadable!]
  8. Andrea Galeotti & Sanjeev Goyal & Jurjen Kamphorst, 2003. "Network Formation with Heterogeneous Players," Economics Discussion Papers 562, University of Essex, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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  9. Ernst Fehr & Klaus M. Schmidt, . "A Theory of Fairness, Competition and Cooperation," IEW - Working Papers iewwp004, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics - IEW. [Downloadable!]
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  10. John Duffy & Dean Corbae, 2006. "Experiments with Network Formation," Working Papers 292, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Economics, revised Aug 2007. [Downloadable!]
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  11. Falk, Armin & Kosfeld, Michael, 2003. "It's all about Connections: Evidence on Network Formation," IZA Discussion Papers 777, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
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  12. Jackson, Matthew O. & Wolinsky, Asher, 1996. "A Strategic Model of Social and Economic Networks," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 44-74, October. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  13. Haller, Hans & Sarangi, Sudipta, 2005. "Nash networks with heterogeneous links," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 181-201, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  14. Callander, Steven & Plott, Charles R., 2005. "Principles of network development and evolution: an experimental study," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(8), pages 1469-1495, August. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  1. John Duffy & Dean Corbae, 2006. "Experiments with Network Formation," Working Papers 292, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Economics, revised Aug 2007. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Anthony Ziegelmeyer & Katinka Pantz, 2005. "Collaborative Networks in Experimental Triopolies," Papers on Strategic Interaction 2005-38, Max Planck Institute of Economics, Strategic Interaction Group. [Downloadable!]
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