Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/102631
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 2014-3
Publisher: 
Brown University, Department of Economics, Providence, RI
Abstract: 
In this paper, we argue that an important function fulfilled by intermediaries is to facilitate trust by enabling social pressure towards the enforcement of informal agreements. To that end, we develop a new model that uses network theory to show that intermediaries who have exclusivity over a large enough number of interaction opportunities are able to exploit their position in the chains of interactions in the market to overcome incentive problems that would otherwise shut down the market. We derive conditions on the network structure under which intermediaries fulfill this function. Finally, we analyze two applications: (1) the market for short termapartment rentals; and (2) a financial market with investors and entrepreneurs. We provide additional examples suggesting that this paper uncovers an important channel through which intermediaries operate.
Subjects: 
Networks
intermediation
long-term relationships
self-governance
community enforcement
trust
social capital
cooperation
strategic default
financial intermediation
Airbnb.com
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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