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Centrality and cooperation in networks

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  • van Leeuwen, Boris

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

  • Ramalingam, Abhijit
  • Rojo Arjona, David
  • Schram, Arthur

Abstract

We investigate the effects of centrality on cooperation in groups. Players with centrality keep a group together by having a pivotal position in a network. In some of our experimental treatments, players can vote to exclude others and prevent them from further participation in the group. We find that, in the presence of exclusion, central players contribute significantly less than others, and that this is tolerated by those others. Because of this tolerance, groups with centrality manage to maintain high levels of cooperation.
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  • van Leeuwen, Boris & Ramalingam, Abhijit & Rojo Arjona, David & Schram, Arthur, 2019. "Centrality and cooperation in networks," Other publications TiSEM b668e3a4-b5a5-49f0-a7fe-c, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiutis:b668e3a4-b5a5-49f0-a7fe-ced7895dde43
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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, Christopher L., 2024. "Team production in endogenous networks," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 560-580.
    2. He, Simin & Zou, Xinlu, 2024. "Public goods provision in a network formation game," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 104-131.
    3. Ramalingam, Abhijit & Stoddard, Brock V. & Walker, James M., 2019. "The market for talent: Competition for resources and self-governance in teams," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 268-284.
    4. Boosey, Luke & Isaac, R. Mark & Ramalingam, Abhijit, 2024. "Limiting the leader: Fairness concerns and opportunism in team production," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 209-244.
    5. Luke A. Boosey & Christopher Brown, 2021. "Contests with Network Externalities: Theory & Evidence," Working Papers wp2021_07_02, Department of Economics, Florida State University.
    6. Brock V. Stoddard & Caleb A. Cox & James M. Walker, 2021. "Incentivizing provision of collective goods: Allocation rules," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 87(4), pages 1345-1365, April.
    7. Billinger, Stephan & Rosenbaum, Stephen Mark, 2019. "Discretionary mechanisms and cooperation in hierarchies: An experimental study," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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