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Envy freedom and prior-free mechanism design

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  • Devanur, Nikhil R.
  • Hartline, Jason D.
  • Yan, Qiqi

Abstract

We consider the provision of an abstract service to single-dimensional agents. Our model includes position auctions, single-minded combinatorial auctions, and constrained matching markets. When the agents' values are drawn independently from a distribution, the Bayesian optimal mechanism is given by Myerson [1] as a virtual-surplus optimizer. We develop a framework for prior-free mechanism design and analysis. A good mechanism in our framework approximates the optimal mechanism for the distribution if there is a distribution; moreover, when there is no distribution this mechanism still provably performs well.

Suggested Citation

  • Devanur, Nikhil R. & Hartline, Jason D. & Yan, Qiqi, 2015. "Envy freedom and prior-free mechanism design," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 103-143.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:156:y:2015:i:c:p:103-143
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2014.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sambuddha Ghosh & Yan Long & Manipushpak Mitra, 2021. "Prior-free online mechanisms for queueing with arrivals," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 72(2), pages 671-700, September.
    2. Alaei, Saeed & Hartline, Jason & Niazadeh, Rad & Pountourakis, Emmanouil & Yuan, Yang, 2019. "Optimal auctions vs. anonymous pricing," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 494-510.
    3. Obara, Takuya & 小原, 拓也 & Tsugawa, Shuichi & Managi, Shunsuke, 2019. "Envy-free Pricing for Impure Public Good," CCES Discussion Paper Series 69, Center for Research on Contemporary Economic Systems, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.
    4. Blume, Lawrence & Easley, David & Kleinberg, Jon & Kleinberg, Robert & Tardos, Éva, 2015. "Introduction to computer science and economic theory," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 1-13.
    5. Loertscher, Simon & Marx, Leslie M., 2020. "Asymptotically optimal prior-free clock auctions," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Mark Braverman & Jon Schneider & S. Matthew Weinberg, 2021. "Prior-free Dynamic Mechanism Design With Limited Liability," Papers 2103.01868, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Envy freedom; Incentive compatibility; Myerson; Prior-free; Mechanism design;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C7 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory

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