What Makes Markets Allocationally Efficient?

S-Tier
Journal: Quarterly Journal of Economics
Year: 1997
Volume: 112
Issue: 2
Pages: 603-630

Authors (2)

Dhananjay K. Gode (not in RePEc) Shyam Sunder (Yale University)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

What determines the allocative efficiency of markets? Why are double auctions, even with untrained human traders, allocationally efficient? We provide a simple explanation for these complex phenomena by showing how externally observable rules that define a market cause high allocative efficiency when individuals remain within the confines of these rules. We also show how the oft-ignored shape of extramarginal demand and supply affects efficiency by influencing the inverse relationship between the magnitude of efficiency loss and its probability.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:qjecon:v:112:y:1997:i:2:p:603-630.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29