Abstract This article presents a novel combination of robust optimization developed in mathematical programming, and robust parameter design developed in statistical quality control. Robust parameter design uses metamodels estimated from experiments with both controllable and environmental...

This thesis includes three self-contained projects:In the first project Bidding strategies and their impact on the auctioneer's revenue in combinatorial auctions, focusing on combinatorial auctions, we propose a simple and efficient model for evaluating the value of any bundle given limited...

An approach for the multiple response robust parameter design problem based on a methodology by Peterson (2000) is presented. The approach is Bayesian, and consists of maximizing the posterior predictive probability that the process satisfies a set of constraints on the responses. In order to...

Parameter design is the most important phase in the development of new products and processes, especially in regards to dynamic systems. Statistics-based approaches are usually employed to address dynamic parameter design problems; however, these approaches have some limitations when applied to...

We analyze how a firm might protect quasirents in an environment of imperfect capital markets, where switching lenders is costly to the borrower, and contracts are incomplete. As switching costs make the firm vulnerable to ex post exploitation, it may want to diversify lending. Multiple-source...

We examine two types of altruism and their implications for voluntary giving. Philanthropists are altruists who wish to enhance the well-being of others, while individuals with merit-good preferences only wish to further the consumption of certain merit goods by others. Philanthropic donors...