Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/21873 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2004
Series/Report no.: 
Research Notes No. 12e
Publisher: 
Deutsche Bank Research, Frankfurt a. M.
Abstract: 
As a rule, economic models assume that economic agents are rational and maximise their utility. Experimental economic research in particular attempts to verify this assumption under artificial conditions using laboratory tests. Experiment results must be carefully interpreted, as laboratory conditions often fail to fully represent reality. Internet auctions on the other hand present the possibility of observing the actual behaviour of economic agents and comparing it with theoretical expectations. The analysis of market leader eBay's auctions shows that participants behave differently not only in individual cases, as would at first be expected theoretically. Herd behaviour among the auction participants would appear to be an important explanatory factor. Closer examination reveals, however, that at least a portion of the supposed irrationality can in fact be explained by rational behaviour.
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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