Communication, timing, and common learning

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Steiner, Jakub; Stewart, Colin
• 署名单位: Northwestern University; University of Toronto
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC THEORY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-0531
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2010.08.009
• 发表日期: 2011
• 页码: 230-247
• 关键词: Common knowledge; learning; COMMUNICATION

摘要

We study the effect of stochastically delayed communication on common knowledge acquisition (common learning). If messages do not report dispatch times, communication prevents common learning under general conditions even if common knowledge is acquired without communication. If messages report dispatch times, communication can destroy common learning under more restrictive conditions. The failure of common learning in the two cases is based on different infection arguments. Communication can destroy common learning even if it ends in finite time, or if agents communicate all of their information. We also identify conditions under which common learning is preserved in the presence of communication. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.