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Mechanism design by an informed principal: the quasi-linear private-values case

Author

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  • Tröger, Thomas
  • Mylovanov, Timofiy

Abstract

We show that, in environments with independent private values and transferable utility, a privately informed principal can solve her mechanism selection problem by implementing an allocation that is ex-ante optimal for her. No type of the principal can gain from proposing an alternative mechanism that is incentivefeasible with any belief that puts probability 0 on types that would strictly lose from proposing the alternative. We show that the solution exists in essentially any environment with finite type spaces, and in any linear-utility environment with continuous type spaces, allowing for arbitrary disagreement outcomes. As an application, we consider a bilateral exchange environment (Myerson and Satterthwaite, 1983) in which the principal is one of the traders. If the property rights over the good are dispersed among the traders, then the principal will implement an allocation in which she is almost surely better off than if her type is commonly known. The optimal mechanism is a combination of a participation fee, a buyout option for the principal, and a resale stage with posted prices and, hence, is a generalization of the posted price that would optimal if the principal's valuation were commonly known.

Suggested Citation

  • Tröger, Thomas & Mylovanov, Timofiy, 2012. "Mechanism design by an informed principal: the quasi-linear private-values case," Working Papers 12-14, University of Mannheim, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mnh:wpaper:32385
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    Cited by:

    1. Suehyun Kwon, 2018. "Selling Complementary Goods: Information and Products," CESifo Working Paper Series 7394, CESifo.
    2. Andras Niedermayer & Artyom Shneyerov, 2014. "For‐Profit Search Platforms," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 55(3), pages 765-789, August.
    3. Loertscher, Simon & Wasser, Cédric, 2019. "Optimal structure and dissolution of partnerships," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 14(3), July.
    4. Jakub Kastl & Marco Pagnozzi & Salvatore Piccolo, 2018. "Selling information to competitive firms," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 49(1), pages 254-282, March.
    5. Xin Zhao, 2018. "Auction Design by an Informed Seller: The Optimality of Reserve Price Signaling," Working Paper Series 53, Economics Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney.
    6. Suehyun Kwon, 2019. "Informed-Principal Problem in Mechanisms with Limited Commitment," CESifo Working Paper Series 7513, CESifo.
    7. Suehyun Kwon, 2019. "Revelation Principle with Persistent Correlated Types: Impossibility Result," CESifo Working Paper Series 7782, CESifo.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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