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Selling Picasso paintings: the efficiency of auction houses

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  • Finn R. Førsund
  • Roberto Zanola

Abstract

Previous works applying hedonic price technique to determine the formation of auction prices of objects of art have found no conclusive result about the impact of auction houses on final prices. In these studies the object of art has been the unit, and influence of auction houses is analysed by testing whether auction house impact on price is significant or not within a framework of central tendencies. In order to focus on auction houses as a unit we have applied a benchmarking technique, DEA, developed for efficiency studies. Categorial and continuous variables are used as inputs and auction prices as outputs. Performance indicators are defined and calculated giving an insight into auction house differences impossible to obtain using hedonic price approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Finn R. Førsund & Roberto Zanola, 2001. "Selling Picasso paintings: the efficiency of auction houses," ICER Working Papers 07-2001, ICER - International Centre for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:icr:wpicer:07-2001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Finn R. Forsund, 2002. "Categorical Variables in DEA," International Journal of Business and Economics, School of Management Development, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan, vol. 1(1), pages 33-44, April.
    2. Abderazak Bakhouche & Ludovic P.J. Thebault, 2011. "What Determines Cézanne’S Art Pricing? A Hedonic Regression Method," Analele Stiintifice ale Universitatii "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" din Iasi - Stiinte Economice (1954-2015), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 58, pages 515-532, november.
    3. Finn Forsund & Roberto Zanola, 2002. "The performance of auction houses selling Picasso prints," Others 0210003, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Marco-Serrano, Francisco & Rausell-Köster, Pau, 2006. "Productivity Analysis in the Spanish Cultural and Leisure Industry: A Regional Perspective/Análisis de la productividad en el sector de la cultura y el ocio español: una perspectiva regional," Estudios de Economia Aplicada, Estudios de Economia Aplicada, vol. 24, pages 635(24á)-63, Agosto.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    painting; auction house; hedonic price; DEA; efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C6 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling
    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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