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An adjustment scheme for nonlinear pricing problem with two buyers

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  • Ehtamo, Harri
  • Berg, Kimmo
  • Kitti, Mitri

Abstract

We examine a contracting problem with asymmetric information in a monopoly pricing setting. Traditionally, the problem is modeled as a one-period Bayesian game, where the incomplete information about the buyers' preferences is handled with some subjective probability distribution. Here we suggest an iterative online method to solve the problem. We show that, when the buyers behave myopically, the seller can learn the optimal tariff by selling the product repeatedly. In a practical modification of the method, the seller offers linear tariffs and adjusts them until optimality is reached. The adjustment can be seen as gradient adjustment, and it can be done with limited information and so that it benefits both the seller and the buyers. Our method uses special features of the problem and it is easily implementable.

Suggested Citation

  • Ehtamo, Harri & Berg, Kimmo & Kitti, Mitri, 2010. "An adjustment scheme for nonlinear pricing problem with two buyers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 201(1), pages 259-266, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ejores:v:201:y:2010:i:1:p:259-266
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    Cited by:

    1. Singham, D.I., 2019. "Sample average approximation for the continuous type principal-agent problem," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 275(3), pages 1050-1057.
    2. Kimmo Berg, 2013. "Complexity of solution structures in nonlinear pricing," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 206(1), pages 23-37, July.
    3. Kimmo Berg & Harri Ehtamo, 2012. "Continuous learning methods in two-buyer pricing problem," Mathematical Methods of Operations Research, Springer;Gesellschaft für Operations Research (GOR);Nederlands Genootschap voor Besliskunde (NGB), vol. 75(3), pages 287-304, June.
    4. Schlereth, Christian & Stepanchuk, Tanja & Skiera, Bernd, 2010. "Optimization and analysis of the profitability of tariff structures with two-part tariffs," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 206(3), pages 691-701, November.
    5. Singham, Dashi I. & Cai, Wenbo & Fügenschuh, Armin, 2021. "Flexible contracting with heterogeneous agents and stochastic demand," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    6. Pavlin, J. Michael, 2017. "Dual bounds of a service level assignment problem with applications to efficient pricing," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 262(1), pages 239-250.

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