An Economic Analysis on Sharing Behavior in Peer-to-Peer Software Usage

To examine incentive mechanism of behavior in peer-to-peer software, this study modified the Antoniadis (2004) model from economic aspect. Considering the specialty of anonymity in network environment, simulation procedures were adopted to analyze the users' needs. Statistical results show that: first, incomplete information lead to the loss in efficiency. Next, the variation of users' attitude in the P2P system should be controlled if a certain result was expected. Third, high file repetition may not decrease the utility level of the system. Forth, best system can be operated by setting personalized incentives for each user in the system, and last, types of file repetition should be observed first to make the system operate efficiently if information is incomplete.