Urban Social Structure, Social Capital and Spatial Proximity

Yves Zenou, Pierre Picard and Eleonora Patacchini

No 10501, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We develop a theoretical model where the existence and intensity of dyadic contacts depend on location. We show that agents tend to interact more with agents that are highly central in the network of social contacts and that are geographically closer. Using a unique geo-coded dataset of friendship networks in the United States, we find evidence consistent with this model. The main empirical challenge, which is the possible endogenous network formation, is tackled by employing a Bayesian methodology that allows to estimate simultaneously network formation and intensity of network contacts.

Keywords: Bayesian estimation; Endogenous network formation; Geographical space; Social interactions; Social space (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R1 R23 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo, nep-gth, nep-net, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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