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Mechanism Reform for Task Allocation

Author

Listed:
  • E. Jason Baron
  • Richard Lombardo
  • Joseph P. Ryan
  • Jeongsoo Suh
  • Quitze Valenzuela-Stookey

Abstract

Reforming an existing system for allocating tasks among agents introduces additional political and institutional constraints relative to designing one in isolation. We develop a general mechanism-design framework for using data on agents’ performance to improve outcomes while ensuring that no agents are made worse off relative to the status quo. As an illustration, we apply our results to the assignment of Child Protective Services investigators to maltreatment cases. Simulations show the mechanism reduces false positives (unnecessary foster care placements) by up to 14% while also lowering false negatives (missed maltreatment cases) and overall placements.

Suggested Citation

  • E. Jason Baron & Richard Lombardo & Joseph P. Ryan & Jeongsoo Suh & Quitze Valenzuela-Stookey, 2024. "Mechanism Reform for Task Allocation," NBER Working Papers 32369, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32369
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    Cited by:

    1. Terence Highsmith Ii, 2024. "Matching Design with Algorithms and Applications to Foster Care," Papers 2411.12860, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2025.
    2. Terence Highsmith, 2024. "A Dynamic Matching Framework for Faster Child Adoptions," Papers 2411.09817, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2025.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets

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