The Effect on Allocation Efficiency, Seller Revenue, and Buyer Surplus

Master's thesis - Information Quality in Auctions

10.07.2025, Abschlussarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

This thesis will empirically analyze the effect of information quality on the outcome of auctions. The topic is centered around game theory, and in particular auction theory.

Auctions are a tool of significant economic relevance. Despite continuing and extensive research in theory and experiments, there still remain many questions open once we start to analyze slightly more complex models than the standard symmetric first-price sealed-bid auction with independent and identically distributed valuations.

In this thesis, we will assume that bidders do not know their exact valuation for an item. We will analyze the effect of information quality on the allocation efficiency, seller revenue, and buyer surplus. The thesis will use mostly empirical methods, but a profound mathematical skill set is also required.

This project contains several challenges, both from a theoretical point of view (game theory) and from a practical perspective (implementation).
I am looking for a highly motivated student with above-average understanding of probability theory, basic knowledge of game theory, and solid coding skills.

A more detailed portfolio of the project is available.
If you are interested, please send me an (informal) email with your CV and transcript of records. (I will be selective with applicants, though.)

Kontakt: julius.durmann@tum.de