A non-cooperative approach to the folk rule in minimum cost spanning tree problems

2023

This paper deals with the problem of finding a way to distribute the cost of a minimum cost spanning tree problem between the players. A rule that assigns a payoff to each player provides this distribution. An optimistic point of view is considered to devise a cooperative game. Following this optimistic approach, a sequential game provides this construction to define the action sets of the players. The main result states the existence of a unique cost allocation in subgame perfect equilibria. This cost allocation matches the one suggested by the folk rule. The authors thank the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Compe…