A Computational Laboratory for Evolutionary Trade Networks

This study presents, motivates, and illustrates the use of a computational laboratory for the investigation of evolutionary trade network formation among strategically interacting buyers, sellers, and dealers. The computational laboratory, referred to as the Trade Network Game Labo- ratory (TNG Lab), is targetted for the Microsoft Windows desktop. The TNG Lab is both modular and extensible and has a clear, easily operated graphical-user interface. It per- mits visualization of the formation and evolution of trade networks by means of real-time animations. Data tables and charts reporting descriptive performance statistics are also provided in real time. The capabilities of the TNG Lab are demonstrated by means of labor market experiments.