Network architecture, barter exchange and the diffusion of ideas

Robin Cowan and Nicolas Jonard ()

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2007, vol. 6, issue 2, 165-178

Abstract: We model knowledge diffusion as agents exchanging ideas through a barter process. The model builds on empirical observations of informal knowledge trading among competing agents. The process takes place on a network substrate in which agents are nodes, and can trade only with those to whom they have direct links (edges). When two agents meet, they make a mutually profitable trade. This process repeats, and is the foundation on which knowledge diffuses through the economy. Our interest is in how the structure of the network affects diffusion performance. The extent of idea diffusion is affected both by the circumference of the graph and by local coherence: diffusion is most efficient when the network is a small world. The distribution of knowledge over agents is also most equal when networks are small worlds.

Keywords: barter exchange; ideas diffusion; knowledge diffusion; network structure; small world; competing agents; social networks; economic performance. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=12702 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
Working Paper: Network architecture, barter exchange and the diffusion of ideas (2007)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijarge:v:6:y:2007:i:2:p:165-178

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology from Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sarah Parker ().