The Role of Bounded Rationality and Imperfect Information in Subgame Perfect Implementation—An Empirical Investigation
1
Harvard University
2 PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques
3 PSE - Paris School of Economics
4 Collège de France - Chaire Economie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissance
5 UZH - Universität Zürich [Zürich] = University of Zurich
6 UNSW - University of New South Wales [Canberra Campus]
7 University of Melbourne
2 PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques
3 PSE - Paris School of Economics
4 Collège de France - Chaire Economie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissance
5 UZH - Universität Zürich [Zürich] = University of Zurich
6 UNSW - University of New South Wales [Canberra Campus]
7 University of Melbourne
Résumé
In this paper we conduct a laboratory experiment to test the extent to which Moore and Repullo’s subgame perfect implementation mechanism induces truth-telling, both in a setting with perfect information and in a setting where buyers and sellers face a small amount of uncertainty regarding the good’s value. We find that Moore–Repullo mechanisms fail to implement truth-telling in a substantial number of cases even under perfect information about the valuation of the good. Our data further suggests that a substantial proportion of these lies are made by subjects who hold pessimistic beliefs about the rationality of their trading partners. Although the mechanism should—in theory—provide incentives for truth-telling, many buyers in fact believe that they can increase their expected monetary payoff by lying. The deviations from truth-telling become significantly more frequent and more persistent when agents face small amounts of uncertainty regarding the good’s value. Our results thus suggest that both beliefs about irrational play and small amounts of uncertainty about valuations may constitute important reasons for the absence of Moore–Repullo mechanisms in practice.
Domaines
Economies et financesFormat du dépôt | Notice |
---|---|
Type de dépôt | Article dans une revue |
Titre |
en
The Role of Bounded Rationality and Imperfect Information in Subgame Perfect Implementation—An Empirical Investigation
|
Résumé |
en
In this paper we conduct a laboratory experiment to test the extent to which Moore and Repullo’s subgame perfect implementation mechanism induces truth-telling, both in a setting with perfect information and in a setting where buyers and sellers face a small amount of uncertainty regarding the good’s value. We find that Moore–Repullo mechanisms fail to implement truth-telling in a substantial number of cases even under perfect information about the valuation of the good. Our data further suggests that a substantial proportion of these lies are made by subjects who hold pessimistic beliefs about the rationality of their trading partners. Although the mechanism should—in theory—provide incentives for truth-telling, many buyers in fact believe that they can increase their expected monetary payoff by lying. The deviations from truth-telling become significantly more frequent and more persistent when agents face small amounts of uncertainty regarding the good’s value. Our results thus suggest that both beliefs about irrational play and small amounts of uncertainty about valuations may constitute important reasons for the absence of Moore–Repullo mechanisms in practice.
|
Auteur(s) |
Philippe Aghion
1, 2, 3, 4
, Ernst Fehr
5
, Richard Holden
6
, Tom Wilkening
7
1
Harvard University
( 38302 )
- Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138
- États-Unis
2
PJSE -
Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques
( 1171428 )
- 48 boulevard Jourdan 75014 Paris
- France
3
PSE -
Paris School of Economics
( 301309 )
- 48 boulevard Jourdan 75014 Paris
- France
4
Collège de France - Chaire Economie des institutions, de l'innovation et de la croissance
( 1043633 )
- 11 place Marcelin Berthelot F-75231 Paris Cedex 05
- France
5
UZH -
Universität Zürich [Zürich] = University of Zurich
( 146992 )
- Rämistrasse 71 CH-8006 Zürich
- Suisse
6
UNSW -
University of New South Wales [Canberra Campus]
( 469323 )
- UNSW Australia at the Australian Defence Force Academy
Northcott Drive,
Canberra ACT 2600
- Australie
7
University of Melbourne
( 306322 )
- Parkville VIC 3010
- Australie
|
Langue du document |
Anglais
|
Nom de la revue |
|
Vulgarisation |
Non
|
Comité de lecture |
Oui
|
Audience |
Internationale
|
Date de publication |
2018-02
|
Volume |
16
|
Numéro |
1
|
Domaine(s) |
|
Mots-clés (JEL) |
|
DOI | 10.1093/jeea/jvx026 |
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