---
OA_type: closed access
_id: '18529'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: Temporal networks are obtained from time-dependent interactions among individuals,
    whereas the interactions can be emails, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, or
    work collaboration. In this article, a temporal game framework is established,
    in which interactions among rational individuals are embedded into two-player
    games in a time-dependent manner. This allows studying the time-dependent complexity
    and variability of interactions, and the way they affect prosocial behaviors.
    Based on this simple mathematical model, it is found that the level of cooperation
    is promoted when the time of collaboration is equally limited for every individual.
    This observation is confirmed by a series of systematic human experiments on over
    1,400 subjects, forming a foundation for comprehensively describing human temporal
    interactions in collaboration. The research results reveal an important incentive
    for human cooperation, leading to a better understanding of a fascinating aspect
    of human nature in society.
article_processing_charge: No
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Yichao
  full_name: Zhang, Yichao
  last_name: Zhang
- first_name: Jiasheng
  full_name: Wang, Jiasheng
  last_name: Wang
- first_name: Guanghui
  full_name: Wen, Guanghui
  last_name: Wen
- first_name: Jihong
  full_name: Guan, Jihong
  last_name: Guan
- first_name: Shuigeng
  full_name: Zhou, Shuigeng
  last_name: Zhou
- first_name: Guanrong
  full_name: Chen, Guanrong
  last_name: Chen
- first_name: Krishnendu
  full_name: Chatterjee, Krishnendu
  id: 2E5DCA20-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
  last_name: Chatterjee
  orcid: 0000-0002-4561-241X
- first_name: Matjaz
  full_name: Perc, Matjaz
  last_name: Perc
citation:
  ama: Zhang Y, Wang J, Wen G, et al. Limitation of time promotes cooperation in structured
    collaboration systems. <i>IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering</i>.
    2025;12(1):4-12. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434">10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434</a>
  apa: Zhang, Y., Wang, J., Wen, G., Guan, J., Zhou, S., Chen, G., … Perc, M. (2025).
    Limitation of time promotes cooperation in structured collaboration systems. <i>IEEE
    Transactions on Network Science and Engineering</i>. IEEE. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434">https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434</a>
  chicago: Zhang, Yichao, Jiasheng Wang, Guanghui Wen, Jihong Guan, Shuigeng Zhou,
    Guanrong Chen, Krishnendu Chatterjee, and Matjaz Perc. “Limitation of Time Promotes
    Cooperation in Structured Collaboration Systems.” <i>IEEE Transactions on Network
    Science and Engineering</i>. IEEE, 2025. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434">https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434</a>.
  ieee: Y. Zhang <i>et al.</i>, “Limitation of time promotes cooperation in structured
    collaboration systems,” <i>IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering</i>,
    vol. 12, no. 1. IEEE, pp. 4–12, 2025.
  ista: Zhang Y, Wang J, Wen G, Guan J, Zhou S, Chen G, Chatterjee K, Perc M. 2025.
    Limitation of time promotes cooperation in structured collaboration systems. IEEE
    Transactions on Network Science and Engineering. 12(1), 4–12.
  mla: Zhang, Yichao, et al. “Limitation of Time Promotes Cooperation in Structured
    Collaboration Systems.” <i>IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering</i>,
    vol. 12, no. 1, IEEE, 2025, pp. 4–12, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434">10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434</a>.
  short: Y. Zhang, J. Wang, G. Wen, J. Guan, S. Zhou, G. Chen, K. Chatterjee, M. Perc,
    IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering 12 (2025) 4–12.
date_created: 2024-11-10T23:02:00Z
date_published: 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2025-02-27T12:35:48Z
day: '01'
department:
- _id: KrCh
doi: 10.1109/TNSE.2024.3481434
external_id:
  isi:
  - '001385382200040'
intvolume: '        12'
isi: 1
issue: '1'
language:
- iso: eng
month: '01'
oa_version: None
page: 4-12
publication: IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 2327-4697
publication_status: published
publisher: IEEE
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: Limitation of time promotes cooperation in structured collaboration systems
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 12
year: '2025'
...