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Robust Monopoly Pricing

In: Robust Mechanism Design The Role of Private Information and Higher Order Beliefs

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  • Dirk Bergemann
  • Karl Schlag

Abstract

We consider a robust version of the classic problem of optimal monopoly pricing with incomplete information. In the robust version, the seller faces model uncertainty and only knows that the true demand distribution is in the neighborhood of a given model distribution. We characterize the pricing policies under two distinct decision criteria with multiple priors: (i) maximin utility and (ii) minimax regret. The equilibrium price under either criterion is lower then in the absence of uncertainty. The concern for robustness leads the seller to concede a larger information rent to all buyers with values below the optimal price without uncertainty.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Bergemann & Karl Schlag, 2012. "Robust Monopoly Pricing," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Robust Mechanism Design The Role of Private Information and Higher Order Beliefs, chapter 13, pages 417-441, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
  • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789814374590_0013
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mechanism Design; Game Theory; Auction Theory; Implementation; Private Information; First and Higher-Order Belief; BayesNash Equilibrium; Ex Post Equilibrium; Rationalizability; Vickrey-Clarke-Groves Mechanisms; Private Value; Interdependent Value; Common Value; Belief-Free Mechanisms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General
    • D0 - Microeconomics - - General

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