Mathematical structures in group decision-making on resource allocation distributions

Noah E. Friedkin*, Anton V. Proskurnikov, Wenjun Mei, Francesco Bullo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)
88 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Optimal decisions on the distribution of finite resources are explicitly structured by mathematical models that specify relevant variables, constraints, and objectives. Here we report analysis and evidence that implicit mathematical structures are also involved in group decision-making on resource allocation distributions under conditions of uncertainty that disallow formal optimization. A group’s array of initial distribution preferences automatically sets up a geometric decision space of alternative resource distributions. Weighted averaging mechanisms of interpersonal influence reduce the heterogeneity of the group’s initial preferences on a suitable distribution. A model of opinion formation based on weighted averaging predicts a distribution that is a feasible point in the group’s implicit initial decision space.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1377
Number of pages9
JournalScientific Reports
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

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