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A deferred acceptance mechanism for decentralized, fast, and fair childcare assignment

Author

Listed:
  • Tobias Reischmann

    (Department of Information Systems, University of Münster, Germany)

  • Thilo Klein

    (Pforzheim University and ZEW -- Leibniz-Centre for European Economic Research, Germany)

  • Sven Giegerich

    (Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, UK)

Abstract

We design and implement a program-proposing deferred acceptance mechanism with ties (DAT) and apply it to childcare assignment in two German cities. The mechanism can accommodate complementarities in providers' preferences, is fast to terminate even in larger cities, is difficult to manipulate in practice, and produces stable allocations. It can be further sped up by introducing two new features. First, allowing for an arbitrary share of facilities who participate in a centralized manner by submitting a rank-order-list over applicants. Second, by breaking ties in applicants' rank-order-lists on a first-come-first-serve basis, which sets incentives for programs to propose faster. We provide and evaluate simulation results.

Suggested Citation

  • Tobias Reischmann & Thilo Klein & Sven Giegerich, 2021. "A deferred acceptance mechanism for decentralized, fast, and fair childcare assignment," The Journal of Mechanism and Institution Design, Society for the Promotion of Mechanism and Institution Design, University of York, vol. 6(1), pages 59-100, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:jmi:articl:jmi-v6i1a3
    DOI: 10.22574/jmid.2021.12.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Childcare assignment; deferred acceptance algorithm; simulation.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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