A Computational Laboratory for Evolutionary Trade Network

This study presents, motivates, and Illustrates the use of a computational laboratory for the Investigation of evolutionary trade network formation among strategically Interacting buyers, sellers, and dealers. The computational laboratory, referred to as the Trade Network Game Laboratory (TNG Lab), Is targeted for the Microsoft Windows desktop. The TNG Lab is both modular and extensible, and has a clear, easily operated graphical user interface. It permits visualization of the formation and evolution of trade networks by means of real-time animations. Data tables and charts reporting descriptive performance statistics are also provided In real time. The capabilities of the TNG Lab are demonstrated by means of labor market experiments. Disciplines Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Databases and Information Systems | Science and Technology Studies This report is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/econ_las_economicreports/54 A Computational Laboratory for Evolutionary Trade Networks David McFadzean, Deron Stewart, Leigh Tesfatsion ISU Economic Report Series No. 53 August 2000 ISU ECONOMIC REPORT 53, AUGUST 30, 2000 A Computational Laboratory for :Evolutionary Trade Networks David McFadzean, Deron Stewart, and Leigh Tesfatsion Abstract—This study presents, motivates, and Illustrates the use of a computational laboratory for the Investigation of evolutionary trade network formation among strategically Interacting buyers, sellers, and dealers. The computational laboratory, referred to as the Trade Network Game Labo ratory (TNG Lab), Is targetted for the Microsoft Windows desktop. The TNG Lab is both modular and extensible, and has a clear, easily operated graphical user interface. It per mits visualization of the formation and evolution of trade networks by means of real-time animations. Data tables and charts reporting descriptive performance statistics are also provided In real time. The capabilities of the TNG Lab are demonstrated by means of labor market experiments.This study presents, motivates, and Illustrates the use of a computational laboratory for the Investigation of evolutionary trade network formation among strategically Interacting buyers, sellers, and dealers. The computational laboratory, referred to as the Trade Network Game Labo ratory (TNG Lab), Is targetted for the Microsoft Windows desktop. The TNG Lab is both modular and extensible, and has a clear, easily operated graphical user interface. It per mits visualization of the formation and evolution of trade networks by means of real-time animations. Data tables and charts reporting descriptive performance statistics are also provided In real time. The capabilities of the TNG Lab are demonstrated by means of labor market experiments. Keywords— Computational laboratory; Buyer^seller trade networks; Evolution; Network animation; Agent-based com putational economics; C-l~|class framework; Labor market