The third generation UMTS auction in Gremany raised an enormous amount of revenue, and the same time achieved a more competitive market structure than other UMTS auctions in Europe. The present paper explains the design of that auction, and presents a game theoretic explanation of observed...

This article studies the design of optimal mechanisms to regulate entry in natural oligopoly markets, assuming the regulator is unable to control the behaviour of firms once they are in the market. We adapt the Clark-Groves mechanism, characterize the optimal mechanism that maximizes the...

The second-generation GSM spectrum auction in Germany is probably the most clear cut example of a low price outcome in a simultaneous ascending-bid auction. The present paper gives an account of the events, describes the auction rules and market conditions, and provides a theoretical explanation...

This paper gives an account of events, and explains some systematic reasons of the UMTS auction flop in Switzerland. Apart from general market developments, which could not have been anticipated, we argue that auction design which was introduced in England and adopted in Switzerland and...

In many auctions the auctioneer is an agent of the seller. This delegation invites corruption. In this paper we propose a model of corruption, examine how corruption affects the auction game, how the anticipation of corruption affects bidding, and how it altogether changes the revenue of typical...

We consider auction games where, prior to the auction, bidders spend resources to increase to their valuations. The market game is solved by solving an equivalent auxiliary social choice problem, We show that standard auctions are fully efficient, whereas reserve price requirements entail a...

This paper analyzes a two-stage sealed-bid auction that is frequently employed in privatization, takeover, and merger and aquisition contests. This auction format yields the same expected revenue as the open ascending (English) auction, yet is less susceptible to preemptive bidding and collusion.

We study a partnership that anticipates its possible dissolution. In our model, partnerships form in order to take advantage of complementary skills; although new opportunities may arise that make partners' skills useless. We characterize the optimal, incentive-compatible partnership contract...