Volume 14, Number 3, 327-351, DOI: 10.1007/s00191-004-0211-2

Knowledge diffusion dynamics and network properties of face-to-face interactions

Piergiuseppe Morone and Richard Taylor

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Abstract

This paper aims to understand some of the mechanisms which dominate the phenomenon of knowledge diffusion in the process that is called lsquointeractive learningrsquo. We examine how knowledge spreads in a network in which agents interact by word of mouth. The social network is structured as a network graph consisting of agents (vertices) and connections (edges) and is situated on a wrapped cellular automata grid forming a torus. The target of this simulation is to test whether knowledge diffuses in a homogeneous way or whether it follows some biased path towards convergence or divergence.

Keywords:  Diffusion - Inequality - Knowledge - Network - Small world

JEL Classification:   D63, O30, R10
Corespondence to: Piergiuseppe Morone
Piergiuseppe Morone, Richard Taylor: The authors are grateful to Nick von Tunzelmann, Scott Moss, Robin Cowan and Ed Steinmueller for helpful comments in different stages of the work. The usual disclaimers apply.

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