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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.12369 |
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| _version_ | 1866915394884730880 |
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| author | Imhof, David Viklund, Emanuel W Huber, Martin |
| author_facet | Imhof, David Viklund, Emanuel W Huber, Martin |
| contents | We propose a novel application of graph attention networks (GATs), a type of graph neural network enhanced with attention mechanisms, to develop a deep learning algorithm for detecting collusive behavior, leveraging predictive features suggested in prior research. We test our approach on a large dataset covering 13 markets across seven countries. Our results show that predictive models based on GATs, trained on a subset of the markets, can be effectively transferred to other markets, achieving accuracy rates between 80% and 90%, depending on the hyperparameter settings. The best-performing configuration, applied to eight markets from Switzerland and the Japanese region of Okinawa, yields an average accuracy of 91% for cross-market prediction. When extended to 12 markets, the method maintains a strong performance with an average accuracy of 84%, surpassing traditional ensemble approaches in machine learning. These results suggest that GAT-based detection methods offer a promising tool for competition authorities to screen markets for potential cartel activity. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_12369 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Catching Bid-rigging Cartels with Graph Attention Neural Networks Imhof, David Viklund, Emanuel W Huber, Martin Econometrics We propose a novel application of graph attention networks (GATs), a type of graph neural network enhanced with attention mechanisms, to develop a deep learning algorithm for detecting collusive behavior, leveraging predictive features suggested in prior research. We test our approach on a large dataset covering 13 markets across seven countries. Our results show that predictive models based on GATs, trained on a subset of the markets, can be effectively transferred to other markets, achieving accuracy rates between 80% and 90%, depending on the hyperparameter settings. The best-performing configuration, applied to eight markets from Switzerland and the Japanese region of Okinawa, yields an average accuracy of 91% for cross-market prediction. When extended to 12 markets, the method maintains a strong performance with an average accuracy of 84%, surpassing traditional ensemble approaches in machine learning. These results suggest that GAT-based detection methods offer a promising tool for competition authorities to screen markets for potential cartel activity. |
| title | Catching Bid-rigging Cartels with Graph Attention Neural Networks |
| topic | Econometrics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.12369 |