Publication Date:
2019
Description:
〈p〉Publication date: Available online 2 August 2019〈/p〉
〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 European Journal of Operational Research〈/p〉
〈p〉Author(s): Antoine Mandel, Xavier Venel〈/p〉
〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉
〈div〉〈p〉We propose an analytical approach to the problem of influence maximization in a social network where two players compete by means of dynamic targeting strategies. We formulate the problem as a two-player zero-sum stochastic game. We prove the existence of the uniform value: if the players are sufficiently patient, both can guarantee the same mean-average opinion without knowing the exact length of the game. Furthermore, we put forward some elements for the characterization of equilibrium strategies. In general, players must implement a trade-off between a forward-looking perspective, according to which they aim to maximize the future spread of their opinion in the network, and a backward-looking perspective, according to which they aim to counteract their opponent’s previous actions. When the influence potential of players is small, we describe an equilibrium through a one-shot game based on eigenvector centrality.〈/p〉〈/div〉
Print ISSN:
0377-2217
Electronic ISSN:
1872-6860
Topics:
Mathematics
,
Economics
