nep-net New Economics Papers
on Network Economics
Issue of 2010‒09‒18
three papers chosen by
Yi-Nung Yang
Chung Yuan Christian University

  1. Influential Listeners: An Experiment on Persuasion Bias in Social Networks By Luca Corazzini; Filippo Pavesi; Beatrice Petrovich; Luca Stanca
  2. Structural Separation Models and the Provision of ‘Dark Fibre’ for Broadband Networks: The Case of CityLink By Howell, Bronwyn
  3. Applying relational algebra and RelView to measures in a social network By Rudolf Berghammer; Agnieszka Rusinowska; Harrie De Swart

  1. By: Luca Corazzini; Filippo Pavesi; Beatrice Petrovich; Luca Stanca
    Abstract: This paper presents an experimental investigation of persuasion bias, a form of bounded rationality whereby agents communicating through a social network are unable to account for possible repetitions in the information they receive. The results indicate that network structure plays a significant role in determining social influence. How- ever, the most influential agents are not those with more outgoing links, as predicted by the persuasion bias hypothesis, but those with more incoming links. We show that a boundedly rational updating rule that takes into account not only agents' outdegree, but also their inde- gree, provides a better explanation of the experimental data. In this framework, consensus beliefs tend to be swayed towards the opinions of influential listeners. We then present an effort-weighted updating model as a more general characterization of information aggregation in social networks.
    Date: 2010–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mib:wpaper:196&r=net
  2. By: Howell, Bronwyn
    Abstract: Fibre broadband networks are widely presumed to become the dominant form of fixed-line broadband access. However, the spectre of fibre firms gaining market power, such has been evidenced in legacy copper-based telecommunications networks, has led some policy-makers to suggest imposing separation mandates (either functional or structural) on the owners of fibre networks yet to be built, in order to militate against the creation of a new set of firms with market power. Whilst conceptually separation of the „dark fibre? data transportation core from network intelligence and retail functions echoes the computer technology-centric view of the internet as a „dumb core? and an „intelligent fringe?, and replicates the separation mandates currently proposed as a means of preventing integrated legacy copper-based providers from foreclosing retail competition, the ensuing structures likely exacerbate the chilling effect of access regulation on network investment observed in most markets where it has been applied. The chilling effects arise because of an investment horizon mismatch (hold-up) between infrastructure operators with large fixed and sunk costs, and retailers (and arguably even end consumers) with freedom to switch between retailers and network infrastructures. The usual resolution to such problems requires customers to make a credible commitment to purchase services via relationship-specific investments or contractual commitments. Whereas access regulation precludes the contractual resolution of the hold-up problem, separation mandates preclude their resolution by consumer-owners vertically integrating upsteam into elements of infrastructure ownership. Consequently, it appears unlikely that the level of investment in separated fibre networks providing dark fibre connections will be optimal. Indeed, under competitive circumstances and high levels of demand uncertainty, there may be no private sector investment forthcoming for dark fibre infrastructures. By examining the business model of CityLink, a firm that since 1995 has been successfully supplying dark fibre in a highly competitive broadband market segment, it is confirmed that long-term financial viability of dark fibre-producing firms is feasible when utilising a mix of both contractual and asset ownership mechanisms that bind end consumers into credible commitments sufficient to justify the firm?s deployment of new network infrastructure capacity. The institutional arrangements that led to the development of this firm?s successful business model draw their inspiration more from the flexible and collaborative commercial interaction of the information technology community rather than the adversarial and prescriptive regulatory environment of the telecommunications industry. It is concluded that if policy-makers wish to encourage the creation of a truly „dark fibre-based? fixed line broadband environment, then in the initial stages of network deployment at least, arrangements similar to those of CityLink are more likely to induce sufficient and timely private sector investments than the rigid and rigorous separation and access regulation arrangements common in the recent history of the telecommunications industry.
    Date: 2010–08
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:reg:wpaper:617&r=net
  3. By: Rudolf Berghammer (Computer-Aided Program Development - Institute of Computer Science - Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel); Agnieszka Rusinowska (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - CNRS : UMR8174 - Université Panthéon-Sorbonne - Paris I); Harrie De Swart (Faculteit Wijsbegeerte-Logica en taalanalyse - Universiteit van Tilburg)
    Abstract: We present an application of relation algebra to measure agents' `strength' in a social network with influence between agents. In particular, we deal with power, success, and influence of an agent as measured by the generalized Hoede-Bakker index and its modifications, and by the influence indices. We also apply relation algebra to determine followers of a coalition and the kernel of an influence function. This leads to specifications, which can be executed with the help of the BDD-based tool RelView after a simple translation into the tool's programming language. As an example we consider the present Dutch parliament.
    Keywords: RelView; relation algebra; social network; Hoede-Bakker index; influence index
    Date: 2010–04–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:cesptp:hal-00515878_v1&r=net

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