Paper Dynamic Matching in Overloaded Waiting-Lists

To study waiting-lists as allocation mechanisms, we analyze a class of waiting-list mechanisms where agents are offered a choice among items with corresponding expected waiting times. Because the expected waiting time required for a given item fluctuates over time, different agents may face different waiting times, potentially resulting in misallocation of items. In a stylized model we derive expressions for welfare and compare mechanisms. We find that a simple randomized assignment policy can decrease expected wait fluctuations, thereby reducing misallocation and increasing welfare. 

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• Authored by Jacob Leshno
• 2019
• Social Sector Theory