Seminar

Past

Optimal Imperfect Collusion: Price Randomization and Favor Exchanges in Cartels

  • Date11 May 2026
  • Time 14h15 - 15h30
  • Room Auditorium 4

Abstract

We analyze the sustainability of collusion in infinitely repeated symmetric first-price procurement auctions with complete information. We show that strategies combining on-path price randomization with dynamic market-share reallocations facilitate collusion at discount factors below the threshold for perfect collusion. Our theory can explain imperfect bid rotation in bidding rings as well as observed cartel behavior in which apparently deliberate deviations from collusive pricing happen and are followed by internal reallocations rather than cartel breakdown.

Other seminars

To be announced

  • Seminar

  • Industrial Organization seminar

  • Date 7 December 2026

  • Place Auditorium 4

  • Speaker or organiser Teck Yong Tan (University of Rochester)

Details

To be announced

  • Seminar

  • Industrial Organization seminar

  • Date 16 November 2026

  • Place Auditorium 4

  • Speaker or organiser Sandro Shelegia (University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona)

Details

Joint IO-Finance Seminar - Platform money

  • Seminar

  • Industrial Organization seminar

    Finance Seminar, TSE - TSM-R

  • Date 9 November 2026

  • Place Auditorium 4

  • Speaker or organiser Kathy Yuan

Details