Communication, Timing, and Common Learning

Jakub Steiner and Colin Stewart

Working Papers from University of Toronto, Department of Economics

Abstract: We study the effect of stochastically delayed communication on common knowledge acquisition (common learning). If messages do not report dispatch times, communication prevents common learning under general conditions even if common knowledge is acquired without communication. If messages report dispatch times, communication can destroy common learning under more restrictive conditions. The failure of common learning in the two cases is based on different infection arguments. Communication can destroy common learning even if it ends in finite time, or if agents communicate all of their information. We also identify conditions under which common learning is preserved in the presence of communication.

Keywords: Common knowledge; communication; learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D80 D82 D83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 21 pages
Date: 2010-01-19
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: Communication, timing, and common learning (2011)
Working Paper: Communication, Timing, and Common Learning (2010)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tor:tecipa:tecipa-389

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