The strength of dynamic ties
Presenter
Ashley Harrell Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies
University of Michigan
Time and location
North Quad 4330, Sep 13, Thursday (2:00-3:00) pm
Abstract
One mechanism that promotes the evolution of cooperation is network dynamics, where ties can be shed and new ties formed. Yet past research has only compared networks where all ties can potentially be severed to those where none can, confounding the benefits of fully dynamic networks with the presence of dynamic ties within the network. This work accounts for the complexity of real-world networks, where some ties are more susceptible to change than others, by considering whether the presence of dynamic ties in networks promotes cooperation even among static ties. Results reveal that, in networks with both tie types, the higher rate of cooperation in dynamic ties “spills over” to those relations that are more difficult to alter, promoting cooperation even among static ties. Thus, findings demonstrate the critical role that dynamic ties play in promoting cooperation by altering behavioral outcomes even in non-dynamic relations.