Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Developing An Exchange Network Simulator, Barry N. Markovsky

Faculty Publications

"X-Net" is a computer simulation that I developed in conjunction with Network Exchange Theory. Users of X-Net can explore the effects of different network structures, rules of exchange, and negotiators' strategies on the dynamics and outcomes of resource exchanges in social networks. This article recounts the process of X-Net's development, in addition to key substantive, theoretical, and design issues that motivated its form and content. It concludes with a discussion of the relationship between theory, simulation, and empirical tests.