Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation

Marcel Fafchamps and Margherita Comola ()

No 7406, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The literature has shown that network architecture depends crucially on whether links are formed unilaterally or bilaterally, that is, on whether the consent of both nodes is required for a link to be formed. We propose a test of whether network data is best seen as an actual link or willingness to link and, in the latter case, whether this link is generated by an unilateral or bilateral link formation process. We illustrate this test using survey answers to a risk-sharing question in Tanzania. We find that the bilateral link formation model fits the data better than the unilateral model, but the data are best interpreted as willingness to link rather than an actual link. We then expand the model to include self-censoring and find that models with self-censoring fit the data best.

Keywords: Network architecture; Pairwise stability; Risk sharing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C12 C52 D85 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev, nep-ecm, nep-gth and nep-net
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation (2014)
Working Paper: Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation (2014)
Working Paper: Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation (2014)
Working Paper: Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation (2014)
Working Paper: Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation (2010)
Working Paper: Testing Unilateral and Bilateral Link Formation (2009)
Working Paper: Testing unilateral and bilateral link formation (2009)
Working Paper: Testing unilateral and bilateral link formation (2009)
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