Network or Not Work : New Network Formation Models with Search Behaviors over Edges

We propose new models, simulations, and data analyses to elaborate on the process of formation of a network. In these models, new agents search edges instead of nodes before connecting to other agents. The edges can represent patents between technology firms, assets between dealers, viruses between patients, etc. The search behavior mimics such actions as collaborating/trading/infecting, etc. We derive closed forms for network characteristics and conduct simulations to verify that our models depict the properties of network formation well. Finally, we show the applicability of our models by fitting them to a network dataset