The impact of reputation-driven locally variable synergy factors on public goods games

Abstract

In public goods games, reputation mechanisms have proven to be an effective strategy for promoting group cooperation. However, the impact of reputation mechanisms on the synergy factor remains under-explored. This study introduces a novel model that integrates a reputation-driven mechanism with locally variable synergy factors to investigate their effects in public goods games. The model comprises two main components: a reputation-driven reward system for cooperation and dynamic adjustments to the locally variable synergy factor. Through simulations, we demonstrate that reputation-driven locally variable synergy factors significantly enhance cooperation levels within groups. Additionally, this mechanism improves the stability of cooperation and increases overall system efficiency by optimizing local incentives and penalties. Our findings highlight the significant potential of reputation-driven locally variable synergy factors in addressing cooperation challenges in public goods games.