Network Formation with Endogenous Decay

31 Pages Posted: 16 Mar 2005

See all articles by Francesco Feri

Francesco Feri

University of London - Royal Holloway College

Date Written: March 2005

Abstract

This paper considers a communication network characterized by an endogenous architecture and an imperfect transmission of information as in Bala and Goyal (2000). We propose a similar network's model with the difference that it is characterized by an endogenous rate of information decay. Endogenous decay is modelled as dependent on the result of a coordination game, played by every pair of directly linked agents and characterized by two equilibria: one efficient and the other risk dominant. Differently from other models, where the network represents only a channel to obtain information or to play a game, in our paper the network has an intrinsic value that depends on the chosen action in the coordination game by each participant. Moreover the endogenous network structure affects the play in the coordination game as well as the latter affects the network structure. The model has a multiplicity of equilibria and we produce a full characterization of those are stochastically stable. For sufficiently low link costs we find that in stochastically stable states network structure is ever efficient; individuals can be coordinated on efficient as well as on risk dominant action depending on the decay difference among the two equilibria in the single coordination game. For high link costs stochastically stable states can display networks that are not efficient; individuals are never coordinated on the efficient action.

Keywords: Network, Decay, Strategical interaction

JEL Classification: A14, D20, J00

Suggested Citation

Feri, Francesco, Network Formation with Endogenous Decay (March 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=681084 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.681084

Francesco Feri (Contact Author)

University of London - Royal Holloway College ( email )

Royal Holloway
University of London
Egham, TW200EX

HOME PAGE: http://francescoferi.xoom.it/

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