Benefits of combinatorial auctions with transformability relationships

Abstract

In this paper we explore whether an auctioneer/buyer may benefit from introducing his transformability relationships (some goods can be transformed into others at a transformation cost) into multi-unit combinatorial reverse auctions. Thus, we quantitatively assess the potential savings the auctioneer/buyer may obtain with respect to combinatorial reverse auctions that do not consider tranformability relationships. Furthermore, we empirically identify the market conditions under which it is worth for the auctioneer/buyer to exploit transformability relationships. © 2006 The authors.