Cooperation in social and economic relationships
This research focus area concentrates on the core issue of social order by studying the mechanisms underlying trust, cooperation and coordination. More specifically, the research focus area addresses how ‘Social embeddedness’ influences behaviour in social dilemmas. 'Embeddedness' refers here to repeated interactions between actors and their networks. An important recent development is to ignore the assumption that embeddedness is an external factor. The research focus area regards embeddedness as internal and has taken steps in investigating relationships, networks and institutions. Theoretical research within the research focus area encompasses formal analytical modelling, mostly using game-theoretic models as well as agent-based simulations. In empirical tests, experimental as well as fieldwork methods are used.
Examples of our research
Social Networks and Trust
Two possible explanations for the emergence of trust via social networks.
Broodfonds
Why some insurance initiatives are succesfull and others not.