|
on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Nicholas Economides (Stern School of Business, New York University); |
| Abstract: | We discuss salient economic aspects of the Internet, including the possible abolition of net neutrality by local broadband access networks as well as potential incompatibilities and degradation of connectivity in the Internet backbone. |
| Keywords: | Internet, net neutrality, price discrimination, antitrust |
| Date: | 2007–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:net:wpaper:0701&r=ict |
| By: | Pedro Pereira (Autoridade da Concorrência); Tiago Ribeiro (Indera) |
| Keywords: | Broadband, Structural Separation, Prices |
| JEL: | L25 L51 L96 |
| Date: | 2006–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pca:wpaper:17&r=ict |
| By: | Mathias Drehmann (Bank of England); Jörg Oechssler (University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics); Andreas Roider (University of Bonn, Department of Economics and Stanford University) |
| Abstract: | Most real world situations that are susceptible to herding are also characterized by direct payoff externalities. Yet, the bulk of the theoretical and experimental literature on herding has focused on pure informational externalities. In this paper we experi- mentally investigate the effects of several different forms of payoff externalities (e.g., network effects, first-mover advantage, etc.) in a standard information-based herding model. Our results are based on an internet experiment with more than 6000 subjects, including a subsample of 267 consultants from an international consulting firm. We also replicate and review earlier cascade experiments. Finally, we study reputation e¤ects (i.e., the influence of success models) in the context of herding. |
| Keywords: | information cascades, herding, network e¤ects, experiment, internet. |
| JEL: | C92 D8 |
| Date: | 2005–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:awi:wpaper:0420&r=ict |
| By: | Christoph Engel (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, Bonn) |
| Abstract: | From the angle of competition policy, Voice over IP looks like a panacea. It not only brings better service, but it also increases competitive pressure on former telecommunications monopolists. This paper points to the largely overlooked downside. In a pure world of Internet telephony, there would be no charge for individual calls, nor for telephony, as distinct from other services running over the uniform network. Specifically, establishing property rights for either of these would be costly, whereas these property rights were automatic and free of charge in switched telephony. Giving voice over IP providers classic telephone numbers would enhance systems competition with switched telephony. But this would make it more difficult for clients to swap providers. The anti-competitive caller pays principle would extend to IP telephony. |
| Keywords: | property right, non-linear pricing, pure bundling, club good, cross-subsidisation, packet switched telephony |
| JEL: | D D43 H41 K21 K23 L13 L15 L43 L86 |
| Date: | 2007–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpg:wpaper:2007_1&r=ict |
| By: | Rennard, Jean-Philippe |
| Abstract: | This text provides with an introduction to the modern approach of artificiality and simulation in social sciences. It presents the relationship between complexity and artificiality, before introducing the field of artificial societies which greatly benefited from the computer power fast increase, gifting social sciences with formalization and experimentation tools previously owned by "hard" sciences alone. It shows that as "a new way of doing social sciences", artificial societies should undoubtedly contribute to a renewed approach in the study of sociality and should play a significant part in the elaboration of original theories of social phenomena. |
| Keywords: | artificial societies; multi-agent systems; distributed artificial intelligence; complexity |
| JEL: | C63 |
| Date: | 2006 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:1458&r=ict |