Endogenous network formation in local public goods: An experimental analysis

B-Tier
Journal: Games and Economic Behavior
Year: 2025
Volume: 150
Issue: C
Pages: 198-214

Authors (3)

Chen, Ying (not in RePEc) Lane, Tom (Newcastle University) McDonald, Stuart (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We experimentally explore public good production levels and the endogenous formation of network structures to facilitate output sharing among agents with heterogeneous production costs and consumption valuations. Results corroborate the key theoretical insights of Kinateder and Merlino (2017) characterizing how agents form core-periphery networks. However, subjects often produce more and form denser networks than predicted, which sometimes reduces efficiency. There is some tendency for behaviour to converge towards the theoretical equilibrium over repeated play. Our results help us understand the emergence of the law of the few in real-world networks, and suggest it is driven by endogenous sorting of heterogeneous agents.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:gamebe:v:150:y:2025:i:c:p:198-214
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25