Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers
Creation-Date: 2010-11-30
Revision-Date: 2013-03-28
Number: 10-120/1
Author-Name: Jeroen Hinloopen
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Amsterdam
Author-Name: Sander Onderstal
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Amsterdam
Title: Collusion and the Choice of Auction: An Experimental Study
Abstract: We experimentally examine the collusive properties of two commonly used auctions: the English auction (EN) and the first-price sealed-bid auction (FPSB). In theory, both tacit and overt collusion are always incentive compatible in EN while both can be incentive compatible in FPSB if the auction is repeated and bidders are patient enough. We find that the auctions do not differ in subjects’ propensity to collude overtly and in the likelihood that subjects defect from a collusive agreement. Moreover, the average winning bid does not differ between the auctions unless subjects can collude overtly. Under overt collusion, stable cartels buy at a lower price in EN than in FPSB resulting in a lower average winning bid in EN.
Classification-JEL: C92; D44; L41
Keywords: Collusion; English auction; First-price sealed-bid auction; Laboratory experiments
File-Url: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/10120.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 219584 bytes
Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20100120