Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/150295 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Citation: 
[Journal:] Theoretical Economics [ISSN:] 1555-7561 [Volume:] 11 [Issue:] 3 [Publisher:] The Econometric Society [Place:] New Haven, CT [Year:] 2016 [Pages:] 813-863
Publisher: 
The Econometric Society, New Haven, CT
Abstract: 
This paper analyzes the formation of networks in which each agent is assumed to possess some information of value to the other agents in the network. Agents derive payoff from having access to the information of others through communication or spillovers via the links between them. Linking decisions are based on network-dependent marginal payoff and a network independent noise capturing exogenous idiosyncratic effects. Moreover, agents have a limited observation radius when deciding to whom to form a link. I find that for small noise the observation radius does not matter and strongly centralized networks emerge. However, for large noise, a smaller observation radius generates networks with a larger degree variance. These networks can also be shown to have larger aggregate payoff. I then estimate the model using a network of coinventors and scientific collaborations in physics and economics, and find that the model can closely reproduce a variety of observed patterns. I show that local search is important in all the empirical networks considered, but that economists tend to search more broadly for new collaboration opportunities.
Subjects: 
Diffusion
network formation
growing networks
limited observability
JEL: 
C63
D83
D85
L22
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by-nc Logo
Document Type: 
Article

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