Network Marketing on a Small-World Network

Details Network Marketing on a Small-World Network Network Marketing on a Small-World Network

2005-06-14

arxiv.org/abs/physics/0506122v1

Physics

Physics and Society

12 pages, to appear in Physica A

Scientific paper

10.1016/j.physa.2005.06.059

We investigate a dynamic model of network marketing in a small-world network structure artificially constructed similarly to the Watts-Strogatz network model. Different from the traditional marketing, consumers can also play the role of the manufacturer's selling agents in network marketing, which is stimulated by the referral fee the manufacturer offers. As the wiring probability $\alpha$ is increased from zero to unity, the network changes from the one-dimensional regular directed network to the star network where all but one player are connected to one consumer. The price $p$ of the product and the referral fee $r$ are used as free parameters to maximize the profit of the manufacturer. It is observed that at $\alpha=0$ the maximized profit is constant independent of the network size $N$ while at $\alpha \neq 0$, it increases linearly with $N$. This is in parallel to the small-world transition. It is also revealed that while the optimal value of $p$ stays at an almost constant level in a broad range of $\alpha$, that of $r$ is sensitive to a change in the network structure. The consumer surplus is also studied and discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Network Marketing on a Small-World Network does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Network Marketing on a Small-World Network, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Network Marketing on a Small-World Network will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-225386