On the evolution of social ties as an instrumental tool for resource competition in resource patch networks

This paper investigates whether the diversification of skills and knowledge promotes the emergence of social ties for resource acquisition. A simulation model with two actor types—one using social ties, the other not—competing for resources in resource patch networks of varying structures was developed. Results show social ties are detrimental in densely connected networks (less diversified skills) but advantageous in sparsely connected networks (more diversified skills). Pure social strategies are always inferior to solitary strategies, regardless of network structure. The model's relevance to existing theories and sociological implications are discussed.

Chester Wai-Jen Liu, Sheng-Feng Shen, Wei-Chung Liu