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Decentralized Task Coordination

Author

Listed:
  • Jens Gudmundsson

    (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen)

  • Jens Leth Hougaard

    (NYU-Shanghai, China
    Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen)

  • Trine Tornøe Platz

    (Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

We study decentralized task coordination. Tasks are of varying complexity and agents asymmetric: agents capable of completing high-level tasks may also take on tasks originally contracted by lower-level agents, facilitating system-wide cost reductions. We suggest a family of decentralized two-stage mechanisms in which agents first announce preferred individual workloads and then bargain over the induced joint cost savings. The second-stage negotiations depend on the first-stage announcements as specified through the mechanism's recognition function. We characterize mechanisms that incentivize cost-effective task allocation and further single out a particular mechanism, which additionally ensures a fair distribution of the system-wide cost savings.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Gudmundsson & Jens Leth Hougaard & Trine Tornøe Platz, 2020. "Decentralized Task Coordination," IFRO Working Paper 2020/11, University of Copenhagen, Department of Food and Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:foi:wpaper:2020_11
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Decentralized mechanisms; Implementation; Bargaining; Consistency; Blockchain;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation

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