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Random Matching with Minimums

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  • Will Sandholtz
  • Andrew Tai

Abstract

We study stochastic object assignment problems in which objects may have minimum and maximum requirements, such as with classes with upper and lower enrollment bounds. We construct a new random assignment mechanism, the minimums probabilistic serial (MPS) mechanism, which generalizes the Probabilistic Serial mechanism of Bogomolnaia and Moulin (2001). The random allocation produced by MPS is guaranteed to be Pareto efficient; that is, there is no other implementable allocation that all agents prefer via first order stochastic dominance. We also show that MPS is i) envy-free, in that no agent will strictly prefer another agent's assignment, and ii) weak strategyproof, in that agents cannot achieve a better assignment by misreporting their preferences.

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  • Will Sandholtz & Andrew Tai, 2026. "Random Matching with Minimums," Papers 2605.26367, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2605.26367
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kojima, Fuhito & Manea, Mihai, 2010. "Incentives in the probabilistic serial mechanism," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 145(1), pages 106-123, January.
    2. Hashimoto, Tadashi & Hirata, Daisuke & Kesten, Onur & Kurino, Morimitsu & Unver, Utku, 2014. "Two axiomatic approaches to the probabilistic serial mechanism," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 9(1), January.
    3. Monte, Daniel & Tumennasan, Norovsambuu, 2013. "Matching with quorums," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 120(1), pages 14-17.
    4. Balbuzanov, Ivan, 2022. "Constrained random matching," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    5. Heo, Eun Jeong, 2014. "Probabilistic assignment problem with multi-unit demands: A generalization of the serial rule and its characterization," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 40-47.
    6. Eric Budish & Yeon-Koo Che & Fuhito Kojima & Paul Milgrom, 2013. "Designing Random Allocation Mechanisms: Theory and Applications," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(2), pages 585-623, April.
    7. Kojima, Fuhito, 2009. "Random assignment of multiple indivisible objects," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 57(1), pages 134-142, January.
    8. Bogomolnaia, Anna & Moulin, Herve, 2001. "A New Solution to the Random Assignment Problem," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 100(2), pages 295-328, October.
    9. Katta, Akshay-Kumar & Sethuraman, Jay, 2006. "A solution to the random assignment problem on the full preference domain," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 131(1), pages 231-250, November.
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