Symmetric Nash equilibrium is a well-known refinement of Nash equilibrium in the study of bidding behavior of online advertisers on the sponsored search advertising marketplace. This solution concept, however, has major limitations. It allows for over-bidding and has uncompelling upper bounds....

The generalized second-price (GSP) mechanism is the most widely-used auction format in sponsored search markets. However, figuring out how to bid on GSP auctions presents major theoretical and computational challenges due to the complex nature of the auction format and the infinite number of...

A simplified mechanism is a direct mechanism modified by restricting the set of reports or bids. An example is the auction used to place ads on Internet search pages, in which each advertiser bids a single price to determine the allocation of eight or more ad positions on a page. If a simplified...

Spectrum auctions are used by governments to assign and price licenses for wireless communications. Effective auction design recognizes the importance of competition, not only in the auction, but in the downstream market for wireless communications. This paper examines several instruments...

This paper uses data from a natural experiment to compare two institutions: a simple English auction and bilateral bargaining. It appears that bilateral bargaining may be more profitable for the seller. Results also suggest no correlation between bargaining skills and an ability to make profit...

Bankruptcy auctions have become a preferred practice in bankruptcy, frequently used to maximize the value of the distressed assets for the claimants’ benefit. Still, what is the optimal design of a bankruptcy auction? Does the method used to execute a bankruptcy auction matter at all? Does one...