Social networks influence technology diffusion but targeting formal leaders (institutional central nodes) may lead to distributional consequences. This paper analyzes the role of informal social networks in technology diffusion in a socially hierarchical caste-based society. Often, information flow and technology diffusion are constrained by social and economic boundaries where informal nodes such as caste play a very decisive role in everyday life. Proper targeting and dissemination of technology to the marginalized sections of society are very important for their development. We observed that only one-fourth of farmers cultivate newer varieties which include hybrids and recently released high yielding varieties. The results showed that individuals belonging to marginal groups are influential and act as informal leaders when they are the dominant caste in the village. Progressive farmers are found to fail in disseminating new varieties, and targeting influential informal leaders who belong to the dominant caste of the village appears to be a better strategy. Among non-dominant caste members, influential leaders belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) or Scheduled Tribes (STs) are more desirable targets than other caste groups. The more concentrated a network is in terms of its caste composition, the faster will be the spread of any technology.

中文翻译：

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种姓、社交网络和品种采用

社交网络影响技术传播，但针对正式领导人（机构中央节点）可能会导致分配后果。本文分析了非正式社会网络在基于社会等级的种姓社会中技术传播中的作用。通常，信息流和技术传播受到社会和经济边界的限制，在这些边界中，种姓等非正式节点在日常生活中起着非常重要的作用。将技术正确定位和传播到社会边缘部分对其发展非常重要。我们观察到，只有四分之一的农民种植新品种，包括杂交品种和最近发布的高产品种。结果表明，属于边缘群体的个人具有影响力，当他们是村庄的主导种姓时，他们会充当非正式的领导者。进步的农民被发现无法传播新品种，而针对属于村庄主要种姓的有影响力的非正式领导人似乎是一个更好的策略。在非优势种姓成员中，属于其他落后阶级 (OBC) 或附表部落 (ST) 的有影响力的领导人比其他种姓群体更受欢迎。一个网络的种姓构成越集中，任何技术的传播就越快。针对属于村庄主要种姓的有影响力的非正式领导人似乎是一个更好的策略。在非优势种姓成员中，属于其他落后阶级 (OBC) 或附表部落 (ST) 的有影响力的领导人比其他种姓群体更受欢迎。一个网络的种姓构成越集中，任何技术的传播就越快。针对属于村庄主要种姓的有影响力的非正式领导人似乎是一个更好的策略。在非优势种姓成员中，属于其他落后阶级 (OBC) 或附表部落 (ST) 的有影响力的领导人比其他种姓群体更受欢迎。一个网络的种姓构成越集中，任何技术的传播就越快。