527 research outputs found
Equilibria in Sequential Allocation
Sequential allocation is a simple mechanism for sharing multiple indivisible
items. We study strategic behavior in sequential allocation. In particular, we
consider Nash dynamics, as well as the computation and Pareto optimality of
pure equilibria, and Stackelberg strategies. We first demonstrate that, even
for two agents, better responses can cycle. We then present a linear-time
algorithm that returns a profile (which we call the "bluff profile") that is in
pure Nash equilibrium. Interestingly, the outcome of the bluff profile is the
same as that of the truthful profile and the profile is in pure Nash
equilibrium for \emph{all} cardinal utilities consistent with the ordinal
preferences. We show that the outcome of the bluff profile is Pareto optimal
with respect to pairwise comparisons. In contrast, we show that an assignment
may not be Pareto optimal with respect to pairwise comparisons even if it is a
result of a preference profile that is in pure Nash equilibrium for all
utilities consistent with ordinal preferences. Finally, we present a dynamic
program to compute an optimal Stackelberg strategy for two agents, where the
second agent has a constant number of distinct values for the items
Random assignment with multi-unit demands
We consider the multi-unit random assignment problem in which agents express
preferences over objects and objects are allocated to agents randomly based on
the preferences. The most well-established preference relation to compare
random allocations of objects is stochastic dominance (SD) which also leads to
corresponding notions of envy-freeness, efficiency, and weak strategyproofness.
We show that there exists no rule that is anonymous, neutral, efficient and
weak strategyproof. For single-unit random assignment, we show that there
exists no rule that is anonymous, neutral, efficient and weak
group-strategyproof. We then study a generalization of the PS (probabilistic
serial) rule called multi-unit-eating PS and prove that multi-unit-eating PS
satisfies envy-freeness, weak strategyproofness, and unanimity.Comment: 17 page
- …