Formation of Social Networks and Diffusion of Innovations

Frédéric Deroïan (1)

1 GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille

Some innovations need delay to diffuse, others often fail. The formation of social networks is a possible explanation. Considering a population of potential adopters of a technology, we set-up a model composed of interacting agents. Interaction is conceived as influence effects and the network of interpersonal influences is learning step-by-step. The gradual formation of the social network leads, after a period of latency, to a collective evaluation of the innovation.

Mots clés: Interaction; Slow Diffusion; Social Network; Learning; Bifurcation

Domaines: Economies et finances

Frédéric Deroïan. Formation of Social Networks and Diffusion of Innovations. Research Policy, 2002, 31, pp.835-846. ⟨10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00147-0⟩. ⟨halshs-00369733⟩