lecture 17 game theory
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Game Theory
The bird flu epidemic is expected to hit your town and it is estimated that 600 people will die. Which of following two drugs, A or B will you recommend to combat the epidemic given the following information?
If Drug A is used: 200 will be saved If Drug B is used: 1/3 chance that all 600 will be
saved and 2/3 chance that nobody will be saved.
The bird flu epidemic is expected to hit your town and it is estimated that 600 people will die. Which of following two drugs, C or D will you recommend to combat the epidemic given the following information?
If Drug C is used: 400 will die If Drug D is used: 1/3 chance that nobody will
die, and 2/3 chance that 600 will die.
Three Elements of a Game
1)The players how many players are there? does nature/chance play a role?
2) A complete description of the strategies of each player
3) A description of the consequences (payoffs) for each player for every possible profile of strategy choices of all players.
Why Game theory?
Managers make decisions on pricing & output Based on their anticipation or reaction to the decisions
made by their competitors.
The kinked demand model: Explains : Why prices in such markets tend to be very
similar But does not explain : how & why this price is
established in the first place
Game theory – helps in understanding these decisions
Game theory
“How individuals make decisions - when they are aware that their actions effect each other & when each individual takes this into account”
The perquisites: Interdependence
Your decisions effect others & their decisions effect you Uncertainty
You don’t know what decisions will they take nor do they know what decisions will you take
In Oilgopolistic market situationThe problem is to choose a rational course of action – Strategy.
A Strategy is a course of action or policy which player or participant in a game will adopt during the play of the game.
The various alternative strategies are:1) Changing the price2) Changing the level of output3) Increasing advertisement expenditure4) Varying the product
STRATEGY
A firm behaves strategically, that is while taking its decision regarding price, output, advertising it takes into account how its rivals firms will react assuming them to be rational i.e they will do there best to promote their interest while making decisions.
Kinds of Games:
Cooperative Games: A binding contract that permits them to adopt a strategy to
maximise joint profits.
Non- Cooperative Games:Competing firm take each other actions into account but they
takedecisions independently and adopt strategies.
Dominant Strategy
A Strategy which will be successful or optimal for a firm regardless of what others do, i.e no matter what the strategy the rival firm adopts.
For example:
Two companies A & B
Firms need to promote its sales and profits
Strategy for them is to Advertise or Not Advertise
DOMINANT STRATEGYPay- Off Matrix for Advertising Games
Firm B
Advertise Not Advertise
F
I
r
m A
Advertise
Not Advertise
5
10
0
15
8
6
2
10
Dominant Strategy
Dominant StrategyIn Rs Crores
DOMINANT STRATEGYPay- Off Matrix for Advertising Games
Firm A: Choice of advertising is optimal for it irrespective whatever
decision firm B makes
Firm B: Choice of advertising is optimal for it irrespective whatever
decision firm A makes
Since it is assumed that both firms behave rationally each of them will
choose the strategy of Advertising and the outcome will be profits of Rs
10 cr for firm A and Rs 5 cr for firm B
Absence of Dominant Strategy Pay- Off Matrix for Advertising Games
Firm B
Advertise Not Advertise
F
I
r
m A
Advertise
Not Advertise
5
10
0
15
8
6
2
20
In Rs Crores
Absence of Dominant Strategy
Optimal strategy for Firm A depends on which strategy the firm B adopts.
“Advertising” strategy is optimal for firm A, given that firm B adopts the same.
Non- Advertising by firm A is better given that firm B adopts the same.
Thus there is no Dominant strategy existing
But how does firm make an optimal decision regarding choice of strategy if both the firm choose their strategies simultaneously.
Choice of an Optimal strategy in the absence of a Dominant Strategy.
Both the firm must put itself in other firms place and then decide.
If firm A choosers strategy of Advertising the firm B will make profit of 5 cr
Nash’s Equilibrium Nash equilibrium (named after John Forbes Nash) is a
solution concept of a game involving two or more players. Each player is assumed to know the equilibrium strategies
of the other players, and no player has anything to gain by changing only his or her own strategy (i.e., by changing unilaterally).
If each player has chosen a strategy and no player can benefit by changing the strategy while the other players keep theirs unchanged, then the current set of strategy choices and the corresponding payoffs constitute a Nash equilibrium.
Nash’s Equilibrium
In a Nash equilibrium, each player must respond negatively to the question: "Knowing the strategies of the other players, and treating the strategies of the other players as set in stone, can I benefit by changing my strategy?“
However, Nash equilibrium does not necessarily mean the best cumulative payoff for all the players involved; in many cases all the players might improve their payoffs if they could somehow agree on strategies different from the Nash equilibrium (e.g. competing businessmen forming a cartel in order to increase their profits).
In Dominant strategy equilibrium describes an optimal or best choice regardless of what strategy the other player adopts
Whereas
In Nash each player adopts a strategy that is best or optimal for him given the strategy of the other player
Prisoner’s Dilemma
SUSPECT 1
Confess Not Confess
SUSPECT 2
Confess
Not confess
4
4
7
1
1
7
2
2
Dominant Strategy
Dominant Strategy
Prisoner’s Dilemma
In this model the decision of each prisoner in favour of confession is quite rational because each person works in self- interest and tries to make the best of the worst outcome in an uncertain situation.
Prisoners Dilemma can never be resolved if you approach the problem from outside, that is from the other’s viewpoint first.
The problem offers a resolution only if you approach the problem from inside, that is , from your own self.
Prisoner’s Dilemma
The only way to resolve the dilemma is to ask,
“Whats the right course of action that could be best for BOTH”.
If you look inward, no matter how selfish you are,
you will find the correct resolution to the dilemma.
Show Dilbert Video
Game Theory Rules
Choose your strategy by asking what makes most sense for you
In the context of companies
COMPANY 1
Cheat Cooperate
COMPANY 2
Cheat
Cooperate
5
5
2
25
25
2
15
15
Equilibrium State
In Rs Lakhs
In the context of companies
If both the firm cooperate and abide by cartel they share huge amount of profits.
Each firm has strong incentive to cheat
It’s the pursuit of self- interest rather than common interest that prompts the firms to cheat each other.
Thus if both the firm cheat they will break down the cartel.
Steal v/s Split
Player 1
Split Steal
P
L
A
Y
E
R 2
Split
Steal
50075
50075
100150
0
In $
100150
0 0
0
If it’s a one time game then a the chances of steal are high but a repeated game would make the players split.
Game Theory Rules
You should choose your strategy on the assumption that your opponent will act in his best interest
Repeated Games & Tit- for Tat Strategy
The Games so far are played just once, so they can cheat.
However in case of repeated games the oligopolist may adopt a cooperative behaviour which enables them to earn large profits
In repeated game one firm has the the opportunity to penalise the other for his previous bad behaviour – Tit for TAT Strategy
Nash’s Equilibrium
PEPSI
High Price Low Price
COKE
High Price
Low Price
200
200
150
20
20
150
50
50
Firms will form a cartel and go for high price than cheating on one another
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