An optimal auction with identity‐dependent externalities

A-Tier
Journal: RAND Journal of Economics
Year: 2008
Volume: 39
Issue: 3
Pages: 731-746

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.018 = (α=2.02 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We analyze the problem of a seller of multiple identical units of a good who faces a set of buyers with unit demands, private information, and identity‐dependent externalities. We derive the seller's optimal mechanism and characterize its main properties. We show that the probability that a buyer obtains a unit is an increasing function of the externalities he generates and enjoys. Also, the seller's allocation of the units of the good need not be ex post efficient. As an illustration, we apply the model to the problem faced by a developer of a shopping mall who wants to allocate and price its retail space among anchor and non‐anchor stores. We show that a commonly used sequential mechanism is not optimal unless externalities are large enough.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:randje:v:39:y:2008:i:3:p:731-746
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25