Finite Neighborhood Binary Games: a Structural Study

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic analysis of the long-term behavior of the agents of an artificial society under varying payoff functions in finite neighborhood binary games. By assuming the linearity of the payoffs of both cooperating and defecting agents, the type of the game is determined by four fundamental parameters. By fixing the values of three of them and systematically varying the fourth one we can observe a transition from Prisoner\'s Dilemma to Leader Game through Chicken and Benevolent Chicken Games. By using agent-based simulation we are able to observe the long-term behavior of the artificial society with different and gradually changing payoff structure. The difference between different games is explored and the effect of the transition from one game to the other on the society is investigated. The results depend on the personality types of the agents. In this study greedy and Pavlovian agents are considered. In the first case, we observe the most significant change in trajectory structure between Prisoner\'s Dilemma and Chicken Games showing significant difference in the behavioral patterns of the agents. Almost no changes can be observed between Benevolent Chicken and Leader Games, and only small change between Chicken and Benevolent Chicken. The trajectories change from always converging to regularly oscillating patterns with systematically altering amplitude and central values. The results are very similar whether the agents consider themselves as members of their neighborhoods or not. With Pavlovian agents no significant difference can be observed between the four games, the trajectories always converge and the limits smoothly and monotonically depend on the value of the varying parameter.Agent-Based Simulation, N-Person Games, Structure Analysis, Equilibrium

Convergence of general iteration schemes

AbstractIn this paper the convergence of general iteration algorithms defined by point-to-set maps is examined first. Special practical convergence conditions are then derived from the general theory

The group equilibrium problem

Kooi, C. van der [Promotor]Harinck, G. [Promotor]Mouw, R. [Copromotor

Multiproduct oligopoly game

Spijker, S. [Promotor]Smit, A.B. [Promotor]Vries, T.J. de [Copromotor]Oever, M.C. van den [Copromotor

discrete time dynamic oligopolies with adjustment constraints

A classical $n$-firm oligopoly is considered first with linear demand and cost functions which has a unique equilibrium. We then assume that the output levels of the firms are bounded in a sense that they are unwilling to make small changes, the output levels are bounded from above, and if the optimal output level is very small then the firms quit producing, which are realistic assumptions in real economies. In the first part of the paper, the best responses of the firms are determined and the existence of infinitely many equilibria is verified. The second part of the paper examines the global dynamics of the duopoly version of the game. In particular we study the stability of the system, the bifurcations which can occur and the basins of attraction of the existing attracting sets, as a function of the speed of adjustment parameter

Positive Analysis of Invasive Species Control as a Dynamic Spatial Process

This paper models control of invasive buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), a fire-prone African bunchgrass spreading rapidly across the southern Arizona desert as a spatial dynamic process. Buffelgrass spreads over a gridded landscape. Weed carrying capacity, treatment costs, and damages vary over grid cells. Damage from buffelgrass depends on its spatial distribution in relation to valued resources. We conduct positive analysis of recommended heuristic strategies for buffelgrass control, evaluating their ability to prevent weed establishment and to reduce damage indices over time. The high dimensionality of the problem makes full dynamic optimization intractable. However, two heuristic strategies – potential damage weighting and consecutive year treatment – perform well in terms of percent damage reduction relative to no treatment and to static optimization. Results also suggest specific recommendations for deployment of rapid rapid-response teams to prevent invasions in new areas. The long-run population size and spatial distribution of buffelgrass is sensitive to priority weights for protection of different resources. Land managers with different priorities may pursue quite different control strategies, which may pose a challenge for coordinating control across jurisdictions.invasive species, integer programming, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Q57, Q58,