Skip to main content
Log in

Web Based Capacity Allocation Strategies for Customers with Heterogeneous Preferences

  • Published:
Electronic Commerce Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We study different mechanisms for the pricing and allocation of capacity to customers with heterogeneous and unknown preferences. The mechanisms we study include posting of prices, auctions, with and without the possibility of resale. We compare the performance of each mechanism with the optimal selling procedure in terms of expected seller's profit and efficiency. We also discuss the feasibility of web based implementation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Agrawal, V. and S. Seshadri. (2000a). “Effect of Risk Aversion on Pricing and Order Quantity Decisions.” Manufacturing and Service Operations Management Journal2(4), 410–423.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Agrawal, V. and S. Seshadri. (2000b). “Risk Intermediation in Supply Chains.” IIE Transactions 32(9), 819–831.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Armstrong, M. (1996). “Multiproduct Nonlinear Pricing.” Econometrica, January, 51–75.

  4. Banks, J.S., J.O. Ledyard, and D.P. Porter. (1989). “Allocating Uncertain and Unresponsive Resources: An Experimental Approach.” The Rand Journal of Economics 20(1).

  5. Braden, D. and S. Oren. (1994). “Non-Linear Pricing to Produce Information.” Marketing Science 13(3), 310–326.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chatterjee, A., D. Gudmundsson, R. Nurani, S. Seshadri, and J.G. Shanthikumar. (1999). “Management Yield in Fabless-Foundry Partnerships.” IEEE Transactions in Semiconductor 12(1), 44–52.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Clarke, E.H. (1971). “Multipart Pricing of Public Goods.” Public Choice 11, 17–33.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cremer, J. and R. McLean. (1985). “Optimal Selling Strategies under Uncertainty for a Discriminating Monopolist when Demands are Interdependent.” Econometrica.

  9. Elmaghraby, W.J. and S.S. Oren. (1998). “The Efficiency of Multi-Unit Electricity Auctions.” Mimeo, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University.

  10. Feng, Y. and G. Gallego. (1995). “Optimal Starting Times for End-of-Season Sales and Optimal Stopping Times for Promotional Fares.” Management Science 41(8), 1371–1391.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Gallego, G. and G. van Ryzin. (1994). “Optimal Dynamic Pricing of Inventories with Stochastic Demand over Finite Horizons.” Management Science 40(8), 999–1020.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kim, K.H., J.W. Bae, J.Y. Song, and H.Y. Lee. (1996). “A Distributed Scheduling and Shop Floor Control Method.” Computers & Industrial Engineering 31, 3–4.

    Google Scholar 

  13. McAfee, P. and J. McMillan. (1987). “Auctions and Bidding.” Journal of Economic Literature 25(June) 699–738.

    Google Scholar 

  14. McMillan, J. (1994). “Selling Spectrum Rights.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 8, 145–162.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Milgrom, P. and R. Weber. (1982). “A Theory of Auctions and Competitive Bidding.” Econometrica, September.

  16. Milgrom, P. (2000). “Putting Auction Theory to Work: Ascending Auctions with Package Bidding.” Stanford and Harvard University.

  17. Myerson, R. (1981). “Optimal Auction Design.” Mathematics of Operation Research, September.

  18. Pinedo, M. (2001). Scheduling: Theory, Algorithms, and Systems, 2nd. Edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rassenti, S.J., V.L. Smith, and R.L. Bulfin. (1982). “A Combinatorial Auction Mechanism for Airport Time Slot Allocation.” The Rand Journal of Economics 13(2).

  20. Rochet, J.-C. and P. Chone. (1998). “Ironing, Sweeping and Multidimensional Screening.” Econometrica 66(4), 783–826.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stokey, N. (1979). “Intertemporal Price Discrimination.” The Quarterly Journal of Economics, August.

  22. Vickery, W. (1961). “Counterspeculation, Auctions and Competitive Sealed Tenders.” Journal of Finance 16, 8–37.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Vollmann, T.E., W.L. Berry, and D.C. Whybark. (1997). Manufacturing Planning and Control Systems. New York: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Wilson, R. (1993). Non-Linear Pricing. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Agrawal, V., Lopomo, G. & Seshadri, S. Web Based Capacity Allocation Strategies for Customers with Heterogeneous Preferences. Electronic Commerce Research 2, 359–384 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020515531179

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020515531179

Navigation