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Decentralized computation procurement and computational robustness in a smart market

Author

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  • Paul J. Brewer

    (Department of Economics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA)

Abstract

Several `smart market' mechanisms have recently appeared in the literature. These mechanisms combine a computer network that collects bids from agents with a central computer that selects a schedule of bids to fill based upon maximization of revenue or trading surplus. Potential problems exist when this optimization involves combinatorial difficulty sufficient to overwhelm the central computer. This paper explores the use of a computation procuring clock auction to induce human agents to approximate the solutions to discrete constrained optimization problems. Economic and computational properties of the auction are studied through a series of laboratory experiments. The experiments are designed around a potential application of the auction as a secondary institution that approximates the solution to difficult computational problems that occur within the primary `smart market', and show that the auction is effective and robust in eliciting and processing suggestions for improved schedules.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul J. Brewer, 1999. "Decentralized computation procurement and computational robustness in a smart market," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 13(1), pages 41-92.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecth:v:13:y:1999:i:1:p:41-92
    Note: Received: November 5, 1996; revised version: September 30, 1997
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. A Drexl & K Jørnsten, 2007. "Reflections about pseudo-dual prices in combinatorial auctions," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 58(12), pages 1652-1659, December.
    2. Drexl, Andreas & Jørnsten, Kurt & Knof, Diether, 2009. "Non-linear anonymous pricing combinatorial auctions," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 199(1), pages 296-302, November.
    3. Sven de Vries & Rakesh Vohra, 2000. "Combinatorial Auctions: A Survey," Discussion Papers 1296, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior

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