In Search of Stars: Network Formation among Heterogeneous Agents

Aljaz Ule, Jacob Goeree and Arno Riedl

No 2007.65, Working Papers from Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei

Abstract: This paper reports results from a laboratory experiment on network formation among heterogeneous agents. The experimental design extends the Bala-Goyal (2000) model of network formation with decay and two-way flow of benefits by allowing for agents with lower linking costs or higher benefits to others. Furthermore, agents’ types may be common knowledge or private information. In all treatments, the (efficient) equilibrium network has a “star” structure. With homogeneous agents, equilibrium predictions fail completely. In contrast, with heterogeneous agents stars frequently occur, often with the high-value or low-cost agent in the center. Stars are not born but rather develop: with a high-value agent, the network’s centrality, stability, and efficiency all increase over time. Probit estimations based on best-response behaviour and other-regarding preferences are used to analyze individual linking behavior. Our results suggest that heterogeneity is a major determinant for the predominance of star-like structures in real-life social networks.

Keywords: Network Formation; Experiment; Heterogeneity; Private Information (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C92 D82 D85 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-exp, nep-gth, nep-net and nep-soc
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: In search of stars: Network formation among heterogeneous agents (2009)
Working Paper: In Search of Stars: Network Formation among Heterogeneous Agents (2007)
Working Paper: In Search of Stars: Network Formation among Heterogeneous Agents (2005)
Working Paper: In search of stars: network formation among heterogeneous agents (2005)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fem:femwpa:2007.65

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