Algorithmic Collusion And The Minimum Price Markov Game

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Sadoune, Igor, Joanis, Marcelin, Lodi, Andrea
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2024
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author Sadoune, Igor
Joanis, Marcelin
Lodi, Andrea
author_facet Sadoune, Igor
Joanis, Marcelin
Lodi, Andrea
contents This paper introduces the Minimum Price Markov Game (MPMG), a theoretical model that reasonably approximates real-world first-price markets following the minimum price rule, such as public auctions. The goal is to provide researchers and practitioners with a framework to study market fairness and regulation in both digitized and non-digitized public procurement processes, amid growing concerns about algorithmic collusion in online markets. Using multi-agent reinforcement learning-driven artificial agents, we demonstrate that (i) the MPMG is a reliable model for first-price market dynamics, (ii) the minimum price rule is generally resilient to non-engineered tacit coordination among rational actors, and (iii) when tacit coordination occurs, it relies heavily on self-reinforcing trends. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate about algorithmic pricing and its implications.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2407_03521
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Algorithmic Collusion And The Minimum Price Markov Game
Sadoune, Igor
Joanis, Marcelin
Lodi, Andrea
Computer Science and Game Theory
General Economics
Economics
This paper introduces the Minimum Price Markov Game (MPMG), a theoretical model that reasonably approximates real-world first-price markets following the minimum price rule, such as public auctions. The goal is to provide researchers and practitioners with a framework to study market fairness and regulation in both digitized and non-digitized public procurement processes, amid growing concerns about algorithmic collusion in online markets. Using multi-agent reinforcement learning-driven artificial agents, we demonstrate that (i) the MPMG is a reliable model for first-price market dynamics, (ii) the minimum price rule is generally resilient to non-engineered tacit coordination among rational actors, and (iii) when tacit coordination occurs, it relies heavily on self-reinforcing trends. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate about algorithmic pricing and its implications.
title Algorithmic Collusion And The Minimum Price Markov Game
topic Computer Science and Game Theory
General Economics
Economics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.03521