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Jefficiency vs. Efficiency in Social Network Models

Möbert, Jochen (2009)
Jefficiency vs. Efficiency in Social Network Models.
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Item Type: Report
Type of entry: Primary publication
Title: Jefficiency vs. Efficiency in Social Network Models
Language: English
Date: 16 October 2009
Place of Publication: Darmstadt
Series: Darmstadt Discussion Papers in Economics
Series Volume: 161
Abstract:

The mainly used welfare criterion in the social network literature is Bentham´s utilitarian concept. The shortcomings of this concept are well-known. We compare the outcomes of the utilitarian concept with the Nash social welfare function. By using a Taylor approximation we deduce a formula which allows the direct comparison of both concepts. The implications of welfare considerations of important network formation models are evaluated by using the multiplicative concept. We introduce a new symmetric connection model which is related to Nash´s welfare function in the same way as the original model is related to the utilitarian function. Based on the observation that heavy tail distributions like the power law distribution and the Pareto distribution can be explained by multiplicative structures we propose to use multiplicative utility functions in social network models. Furthermore, multiplicative utility and welfare functions together exhibit favorable characteristics both in normative and positive terms. Many empirically observed social networks have structures which are better modelled by multiplicative functions. From the normative perspective, multiplicative functions might be attractive since the Nash product introduces some form of justice.

Uncontrolled Keywords: social networks, welfare, efficiency, Nash product, jefficiency, justice
URN: urn:nbn:de:tuda-tuprints-47619
Additional Information:

JEL Classification: A13, D11, D23, D61, D63, L14, Z13; Erstellt März 2006

Classification DDC: 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
Divisions: 01 Department of Law and Economics
01 Department of Law and Economics > Volkswirtschaftliche Fachgebiete
Date Deposited: 16 Oct 2009 14:14
Last Modified: 25 Oct 2023 09:23
URI: https://tuprints.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/id/eprint/4761
PPN: 378322370
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