Random Matching Under Dichotomous Preferences

Econometrica · 2004 · Volume 72 · Issue 1

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0262.2004.00483.x

Abstract

We consider bilateral matching problems where each person views those on the other side of the market as either acceptable or unacceptable: an acceptable mate is preferred to remaining single, and the latter to an unacceptable mate; all acceptable mates are welfare-wise identical. Using randomization, many efficient and fair matching methods define strategyproof revelation mechanisms. Randomly selecting a priority ordering of the participants is a simple example. Equalizing as much as possible the probability of getting an acceptable mate across all participants stands out for its normative and incentives properties: the profile of probabilities is Lorenz dominant, and the revelation mechanism is groupstrategyproof for each side of the market.

Keywords

Matching, randomization, strategyproofness, dichotomous preferences

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