Social Networks in Labor Markets: The Effects of Symmetry, Randomness and Exclusion on Output and Inequality

In this paper we study how some characteristics of the topology of social networks affect the dynamics of output and inequality. Our main findings are: I) symmetric networks with ``strong ties'' produce higher output and lower inequality than asymmetric networks; II) the introduction of ``weak ties'' has a larger positive effect on output and inequality if they are associated with symmetric networks; III) with homogeneous agents, the elimination of social exclusion increases output and reduces inequality; IV) in random networks, an increase in network density increases output and reduces inequality, but there are clear decreasing returns; V) random networks with the same density produce the same level of output and inequality, irrespectively of the relative values of density's determinants, i. e. the number of agents and the probability of link formation. On the contrary, in fixed networks the same density can be associated to different levels of output and inequality, according to the network geometry