An Empirically Validated Framework for Limiting Free-Riding in P2P Networks Through the Use of Social Network Information

In order to overcome the problem of free-riding in current P2P system, we suggest applying social network theory. Based on our exploration of the overlapping research fields of social networks and peer-to-peer networks, we propose a new P2P framework within this paper. It specifies social network information that can be used in a P2P system to avoid performance inefficiencies caused by free-riding or by policies to overcome free-riding. To identify this specific social network information, we conduct a survey among a small group of students, who use Skype, a popular P2P system. We use descriptive analysis and multiple regression analysis to analyze the survey data. The results of the analyses provide an indication that the idea of using social network information in P2P systems is valid and that it is supported by P2P users. Based on our findings, we make recommendations for a successful implementation of social-network-information-based P2P systems that can overcome free-riding issues and, consequently, improve the performance of P2P systems.