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Coordination in Time

Author

Listed:
  • Lars Boerner

    (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, IWH Leibniz Institute & DAFM King’s College London)

  • Erik O. Kimbrough

    (Economic Science Institute, Chapman University)

  • Mouli Modak

Abstract

We study how well people are able to solve pure coordination problems in continuous time. Subjects decide whether and when to pay a cost to go to market with their goods and earn money only if another person shows up at the same time. We show that coordination failure is common in a baseline, and we introduce treatments that feature public coordination devices (meant to mimic clocks) and assess the extent to which coordination improves when such devices are provided via different institutions. A publicly provided device outperforms a variety of privately provided alternatives. Our evidence suggests this is because reliable public provision eliminates uncertainty about whether (and how many) other people expect to observe the coordinating signal.

Suggested Citation

  • Lars Boerner & Erik O. Kimbrough & Mouli Modak, 2025. "Coordination in Time," Working Papers 25-09, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chu:wpaper:25-09
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    File URL: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/esi_working_papers/423/
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C7 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory
    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics

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