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Contribution Details

Type Journal Article
Scope Discipline-based scholarship
Title Competitive Bidding in Auctions with Private and Common Values
Organization Unit
Authors
  • Jacob Goeree
  • Theo Offerman
Item Subtype Original Work
Refereed Yes
Status Published in final form
Journal Title Economic Journal
Geographical Reach international
Volume 113
Number 489
Page Range 598 - 613
Date 2003
Abstract Text This paper investigates the behavioural implications of penalty designs on market performance using an experimental method. Three penalty types and two penalty levels are enforced in a laboratory permit market with auctioning, including the Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme proposed design of tying the penalty rate to the auction price. Compliance strategies are limited to undertaking irreversible abatement investment decisions or buying permits. We aim to assess how penalty design under the presence of subjects‟ risk preferences might affect compliance incentives, permit price discovery, and efficiency. In contrast to theory, we find that penalty levels serve as a focal point that indicates compliance costs and affects compliance strategies. The make-good provision penalty provides stronger compliance incentives than the other penalty types. However, the theory holds with regard to permit price discovery, as we find no evidence of the effect of penalty design on auction price. Interestingly, risk preference does not directly affect compliance decision, but it does influence price discovery, which evidently is a significant factor in compliance decisions as well as efficiency. Most importantly, a trade-off between investment incentives and efficiency is observed.
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