Potential functions for finding stable coalition structures

Abstract The existence of a Nash-stable coalition structure in cooperative games with the Aumann–Dreze value is investigated. Using the framework of potential functions, it is proved that such a coalition structure exists in any cooperative game. In addition, a similar result is established for some linear values of the game, in particular, the Banzhaf value. For a cooperative game with vector payments, a type of stability based on maximizing the guaranteed payoffs of all players is proposed.