Economic incentive patterns and their application to ad hoc networks

While research about cooperation incentives for mobile ad hoc
networks (MANETs) is done only for a relative short period,
there exists tremendous knowledge in the economic and social
areas. Based on a new categorization of incentive patterns, we
examine the relevant properties of each pattern and
demonstrate their respective design alternatives and occurring
challenges for the application to ad hoc networks. With a focus
on trade based patterns, we found that negotiation about actions
proves to be very complex or inefficient in MANETs. Another
approach, the introduction of an artificial currency,
also implies several problems like how to equip the entities
with means of payment and how to secure liquidity. As a novelty,
we introduce a new kind of incentive pattern following the
concept of company shares.
It suits well for MANETs because it can be shown that through
the creation of individual currencies the above mentioned
problems disappear.