Finite State Dynamic Games with Asymmetric Information: A Framework for Applied Work

47 Pages Posted: 29 Jul 2005

See all articles by Chaim Fershtman

Chaim Fershtman

Tel Aviv University - Eitan Berglas School of Economics; Tinbergen Institute

Ariel Pakes

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Harvard University - Department of Economics

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: April 2005

Abstract

We present a framework for the applied analysis of dynamic games with asymmetric information. The framework consists of a definition of equilibrium, and an algorithm to compute it. Our definition of Applied Markov Perfect equilibrium is an extension of the definition of Markov Perfect equilibrium for games with asymmetric information; an extension chosen for its usefulness to applied research. Each agent conditions its strategy on the payoff or informationally relevant variables that are observed by that particular agent. The strategies are optimal given the beliefs on the evolution of these observed variables, and the rules governing the evolution of the observables are consistent with the equilibrium strategies. We then provide a simple algorithm for computing this equilibrium. The algorithm is easy to program and does not require computation of posterior distributions, explicit integration over possible future states, or information from all possible points in the state space. For specificity, we present our results in the context of a dynamic oligopoly game with collusion in which the outcome of firms' investments are random and only observed by the investing agent. We then use this example to illustrate the computational properties of the algorithm.

Keywords: Dynamic games, numerical analysis, collusive behavior, cartels

JEL Classification: C63, C73, L13, L40

Suggested Citation

Fershtman, Chaim and Pakes, Ariel, Finite State Dynamic Games with Asymmetric Information: A Framework for Applied Work (April 2005). CEPR Discussion Paper No. 5024, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=772804

Chaim Fershtman (Contact Author)

Tel Aviv University - Eitan Berglas School of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 39040
Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 69978
Israel
+972 3 640 7167 (Phone)
+972 3 640 9908 (Fax)

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Burg. Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam, 3062 PA
Netherlands

Ariel Pakes

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

Littauer Center
Room 117
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States
617-495-5320 (Phone)
617-495-8570 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
17
Abstract Views
943
PlumX Metrics