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Waves in consumption with interdependence among consumers

Author

Listed:
  • Robin Cowan
  • William Cowan
  • G.M. Peter Swann

Abstract

In this paper we model the development of consumption when there are interactions between consumers. The consumer recognizes three reference groups: peer, distinction, and aspiration. The interplay of aspiration and distinction can lead to `waves' in consumption; for example, the avant-garde consumption of up-market pioneers is copied by other types of consumer. As the latter aspire to emulate the former, the former seek distinction by varying their consumption. A consumption activity may start up market, then gradually descend the social spectrum. More complex patterns with continuing cycles in consumption can also be found.

Suggested Citation

  • Robin Cowan & William Cowan & G.M. Peter Swann, 2004. "Waves in consumption with interdependence among consumers," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 37(1), pages 149-177, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:37:y:2004:i:1:p:149-177
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    Cited by:

    1. Meihan He & Jongsu Lee, 2020. "Social culture and innovation diffusion: a theoretically founded agent-based model," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 1109-1149, September.
    2. Sjögren, Tomas, 2016. "Consumption Norms with Endogenous Norm Beliefs – Implications for Welfare, Commodity Taxation and Income Redistribution," Umeå Economic Studies 938, Umeå University, Department of Economics.
    3. Floortje Alkemade & Carolina Castaldi, 2005. "Strategies for the Diffusion of Innovations on Social Networks," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 25(1), pages 3-23, February.
    4. Eckerstorfer, Paul & Wendner, Ronald, 2013. "Asymmetric and non-atmospheric consumption externalities, and efficient consumption taxation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 42-56.
    5. Chen, Yubo & Fay, Scott & Wang, Qi, 2011. "The Role of Marketing in Social Media: How Online Consumer Reviews Evolve," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 85-94.
    6. Zakaria Babutsidze, 2012. "Consumer Learning through Interaction: Effects on Aggregate Outcomes," Chapters, in: Guido Buenstorf (ed.), Evolution, Organization and Economic Behavior, chapter 4, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. repec:grz:wpaper:2013-01 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Jungeilges, Jochen & Pavletsov, Makar & Perevalova, Tatyana, 2022. "Noise-induced behavioral change driven by transient chaos," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    9. Giulia Iori & Vassilis Koulovassilopoulos, 1999. "Patterns of consumption in socio-economic models with heterogeneous interacting agents," Papers cond-mat/9909131, arXiv.org.
    10. Pesaran, M. Hashem & Tosetti, Elisa, 2011. "Large panels with common factors and spatial correlation," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 161(2), pages 182-202, April.
    11. Giorgio Fagiolo, 2001. "Coordination, Local Interactions and Endogenous Neighborhood Formation," LEM Papers Series 2001/15, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    12. Zakaria Babutsidze, 2009. "Learning How to Consume and Returns to Product Promotion," Papers on Economics and Evolution 2009-05, Philipps University Marburg, Department of Geography.
    13. Andrea Mannberg & Tomas Sjögren, 2022. "Social identity and risky leisure activities: implications for welfare and policy," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 59(2), pages 251-285, August.
    14. Fagiolo, Giorgio, 2005. "Endogenous neighborhood formation in a local coordination model with negative network externalities," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 29(1-2), pages 297-319, January.
    15. Zakaria Babutsidze, 2011. "Returns to product promotion when consumers are learning how to consume," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 783-801, December.
    16. Babutsidze, Zakaria & Cowan, Robin, 2009. "Inertia, Interaction and Clustering in Demand," MERIT Working Papers 2009-045, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    17. Ekaterina Ekaterinchuk & Jochen Jungeilges & Tatyana Ryazanova & Iryna Sushko, 2017. "Dynamics of a minimal consumer network with uni-directional influence," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 831-857, November.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities

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