Taking the road less traveled by: Does conversation eradicate pernicious cascades?

Huining Cao (), Bing Han and David Hirshleifer

Journal of Economic Theory, 2011, vol. 146, issue 4, 1418-1436

Abstract: We offer a model in which sequences of individuals often converge upon poor decisions and are prone to fads, despite communication of the payoff outcomes from past choices. This reflects both direct and indirect action-based information externalities. In contrast with previous cascades literature, cascades here are spontaneously dislodged and in general have a probability less than one of lasting forever. Furthermore, the ability of individuals to communicate can reduce average decision accuracy and welfare.

Keywords: Information; cascades; Network; communications; Long-run; efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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Working Paper: Taking the Road Less Traveled: Does Conversation Eradicate Pernicious Cascades? (2004)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:146:y:2011:i:4:p:1418-1436

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