Strategy-Proofness versus Efficiency in Matching with Indifferences: Redesigning the NYC High School Match

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2009
Volume: 99
Issue: 5
Pages: 1954-78

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

The design of the New York City (NYC) high school match involved trade-offs among efficiency, stability, and strategy-proofness that raise new theoretical questions. We analyze a model with indifferences -- ties -- in school preferences. Simulations with field data and the theory favor breaking indifferences the same way at every school -- single tiebreaking -- in a student-proposing deferred acceptance mechanism. Any inefficiency associated with a realized tiebreaking cannot be removed without harming student incentives. Finally, we empirically document the extent of potential efficiency loss associated with strategy-proofness and stability, and direct attention to some open questions. (JEL C78, D82, I21)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:99:y:2009:i:5:p:1954-78
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-28