We propose a continuum model for the description of buyer and seller dynamics in an Internet market. The relevant variables are the research effort of buyers and the sellers' reputation building process. We show that, if a commercial website gives consumers the possibility to rate credibly sellers they bargained with, vendors are forced to be more honest. This leads to mutual beneficial symbiosis between buyers and sellers; the overall enhanced volume of transactions contributes ultimately to the website, which facilitates the matchmaking service.
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Length: 19 pages Date of creation: 16 Jul 2003 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpga:0307001
Note: Type of Document - Postscript; prepared on linux; to print on PostScript; pages: 19; figures: included. Published on Physica A 316 (2002) 413 Contact details of provider: Web page: http://129.3.20.41
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Find related papers by JEL classification: C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games C39 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Other C49 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Other D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information D52 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Incomplete Markets
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