Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

6-2018

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

Source ISSN

0167-2681

Abstract

We report boundary experiments testing the robustness of price convergence in double auction markets for non-durable goods in which there is extreme earnings inequality at the competitive equilibrium (CE). Following up on a conjecture by Smith (1976a), we test whether the well-known equilibrating power of the double auction institution is robust to the presence of complete information about traders’ values and costs and the presence of symmetric market power. We find that complete information is insufficient to impede convergence to CE prices; however, introducing market power consistently causes prices to deviate from the CE, whether or not subjects possess complete information. Our design highlights the value of boundary experiments in understanding how market institutions shape behavior, and our findings help delineate the limits of the double auction institution to generate competitive outcomes.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Vol. 150 (June 2018): 372-396. DOI. © 2018 Elsevier B.V. Used with permission.

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