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Testing the boundaries of the double auction: The effects of complete information and market power

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  • Kimbrough, Erik O.
  • Smyth, Andrew

Abstract

We report boundary experiments testing the robustness of price convergence in double auction markets for non-durable goods in which there is extreme earnings inequality at the competitive equilibrium (CE). Following up on a conjecture by Smith (1976a), we test whether the well-known equilibrating power of the double auction institution is robust to the presence of complete information about traders’ values and costs and the presence of symmetric market power. We find that complete information is insufficient to impede convergence to CE prices; however, introducing market power consistently causes prices to deviate from the CE, whether or not subjects possess complete information. Our design highlights the value of boundary experiments in understanding how market institutions shape behavior, and our findings help delineate the limits of the double auction institution to generate competitive outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kimbrough, Erik O. & Smyth, Andrew, 2018. "Testing the boundaries of the double auction: The effects of complete information and market power," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 372-396.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:150:y:2018:i:c:p:372-396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2018.01.017
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    Cited by:

    1. Itzhak Rasooly, 2022. "Competitive equilibrium and the double auction," Papers 2209.07532, arXiv.org.
    2. Dolgopolov, Arthur & Houser, Daniel & Martinelli, Cesar & Stratmann, Thomas, 2024. "Assignment markets: Theory and experiments," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Barbara Ikica & Simon Jantschgi & Heinrich H. Nax & Diego G. Nuñez Duran & Bary S. R. Pradelski, 2023. "Competitive Market Behavior: Convergence And Asymmetry In The Experimental Double Auction," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 64(3), pages 1087-1126, August.
    4. César Martinelli & Jianxin Wang & Weiwei Zheng, 2023. "Competition with indivisibilities and few traders," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(1), pages 78-106, March.
    5. Brewer, Paul & Ratan, Anmol, 2019. "Profitability, efficiency, and inequality in double auction markets with snipers," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 486-499.
    6. Itzhak Rasooly, 2022. "Competitive equilibrium and the double auction," Economics Series Working Papers 974, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    7. Kononovicius, Aleksejus & Ruseckas, Julius, 2019. "Order book model with herd behavior exhibiting long-range memory," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 525(C), pages 171-191.
    8. Aleksejus Kononovicius & Julius Ruseckas, 2018. "Order book model with herd behavior exhibiting long-range memory," Papers 1809.02772, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2019.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Double auction; Market power; Institutions; Information; Experimental economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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