On the clock of the combinatorial clock auction

Artikel

The Combinatorial Clock Auction (CCA) has frequently been used in recent spectrum auctions. It combines a dynamic clock phase and a one-off supplementary round. The winning allocation and the corresponding prices are determined by the VCG rules. These rules should encourage truthful bidding, whereas the clock phase is intended to reveal information. We inquire into the role of the clock when bidders have lexicographic preferences for raising rivals' costs. We show that in an efficient equilibrium the clock cannot fully reveal bidders' types. In the spirit of the ratchet effect, in the supplementary round competitors will extract surplus from strong bidders whose type is revealed. We also show that if there is substantial room for information revelation, that is, if the uncertainty about the final allocation is large, all equilibria of the CCA are inefficient. Qualitative features of our equilibria are in line with evidence concerning bidding behavior in some recent CCAs.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal: Theoretical Economics ; ISSN: 1555-7561 ; Volume: 14 ; Year: 2019 ; Issue: 4 ; Pages: 1271-1307 ; New Haven, CT: The Econometric Society

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Auctions ; Market Design ; Telecommunications
• Subject: Combinatorial auctions ; spectrum auctions ; spiteful bidding ; raising rival's cost ; ratchet effect

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Janssen, Maarten C. W. ; Kasberger, Bernhard
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): The Econometric Society
• (where): New Haven, CT
• (when): 2019

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.3982/TE3203
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/217095
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET