Information Disclosure as a Matching Mechanism: Theory and Evidence from a Field Experiment
40 Pages Posted: 8 Jul 2011
Date Written: June 9, 2011
Abstract
Market outcomes depend on the quality of information available to its participants. We measure the effect of information disclosure on market outcomes using a large-scale field experiment that randomly discloses information about quality in wholesale automobile auctions. As the theoretical literature predicts, information disclosure increases expected revenues. However, in contrast with conventional theories, the biggest gains are for the best- and worst-quality cars. We argue that information disclosure causes better matching of heterogeneous buyers to different quality cars. This novel explanation both rationalizes patterns in our data and is confirmed by additional tests. Our findings have implications for the design of other markets, including online consumer auctions, procurement auctions, and labor markets.
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