From bilateral two-way to unilateral one-way flow link-formation

Abstract

We provide a model that allows for a transition between the simplest variation of two basic models of strategic network formation: Bala and Goyal's one-way flow model without decay, where links can be unilaterally formed, and a version without decay of Jackson and Wolinsky's connections model based on bilateral formation of links. In the transitional model introduced here, these two benchmark models appear as extreme cases. We study efficiency and Nash, strict Nash and pairwise Nash stability for the intermediate model. Dynamics are also discussed.We want to thank the editor and three anonymous referees for valuable comments that contributed to improve considerably the paper. The usual disclaimer applies.