On multi-choice TU games arising from replica of economies

In this paper we derive a multi-choice TU game from r-replica of exchange economy with continuous, concave and monetary utility functions, and prove that the cores of the games converge to a subset of the set of Edgeworth equilibria of exchange economy as r approaches to infinity. We prove that the dominance core of each balanced multi-choice TU game, where each player has identical activity level r, coincides with the dominance core of its corresponding r-replica of exchange economy. We also give an extension of the concept of the cover of the game proposed by Shapley and Shubik (J Econ Theory 1: 9-25, 1969) to multi-choice TU games and derive some sufficient conditions for the nonemptyness of the core of multi-choice TU game by using the relationship among replica economies, multi-choice TU games and their covers.     

A consistent value for games with n players and r alternatives

In Bolger [1993], an efficient value was obtained for a class of games called games with n players and r alternatives. In these games, each of the n players must choose one and only one of the r alternatives. This value can be used to determine a player’s “a priori” value in such a game. In this paper, we show that the value has a consistency property similar to the “consistency” for TU games in Hart/Mas-Colell [1989] and we present a set of axioms (including consistency) which characterizes this value.  The games considered in this paper differ from the multi-choice games considered by Hsiao and Raghavan [1993]. They consider games in which the actions of the players are ordered in the sense that, if i >j, then action i carries more “weight” than action j.  These games also differ from partition function games in that the worth of a coalition depends not only on the partitioning of the players but also on the action chosen by each subset of the partition. Received: April 1994/final version: June 1999     

The multi-core,balancedness and axiomatizations for multi-choice games

This note extends the solution concept of the core for cooperative games to multi-choice games. We propose an extension of the theorem of Bondareva (Problemy Kybernetiki 10:119–139, 1963) and Shapley (Nav Res Logist Q 14:453–460, 1967) to multi-choice games. Also, we introduce a notion of reduced games for multi-choice games and provide an axiomatization of the core on multi-choice games by means of corresponding notion of consistency and its converse.     

A value for multichoice games

A multichoice game is a generalization of a cooperative TU game in which each player has several activity levels. We study the solution for these games proposed by Van Den Nouweland et al. (1995) [Van Den Nouweland, A., Potters, J., Tijs, S., Zarzuelo, J.M., 1995. Cores and related solution concepts for multi-choice games. ZOR-Mathematical Methods of Operations Research 41, 289–311]. We show that this solution applied to the discrete cost sharing model coincides with the Aumann-Shapley method proposed by Moulin (1995) [Moulin, H., 1995. On additive methods to share joint costs. The Japanese Economic Review 46, 303–332]. Also, we show that the Aumann-Shapley value for continuum games can be obtained as the limit of multichoice values for admissible convergence sequences of multichoice games. Finally, we characterize this solution by using the axioms of balanced contributions and efficiency.     

Consistent extensions and subsolutions of the core of multi-choice NTU games

We extend the reduced games introduced by Davis and Maschler (Naval Res Log Q 12:223–259, 1965) and Moulin (J Econ Theory 36:120–148, 1985) to multi-choice non-transferable utility games and define two related properties of consistency. We also show that the core proposed by Hwang and Li (Math Methods Oper Res 61:33–40, 2005) violates these two consistency properties. In order to investigate how seriously it violates these two consistency properties, we provide consistent extensions and consistent subsolutions of the core.     

Multilinear extensions and values for multichoice games

We define multilinear extensions for multichoice games and relate them to probabilistic values and semivalues. We apply multilinear extensions to show that the Banzhaf value for a compound multichoice game is not the product of the Banzhaf values of the component games, in contrast to the behavior in simple games. Following Owen (Manag Sci 18:64–79, 1972), we integrate the multilinear extension over a simplex to construct a version of the Shapley value for multichoice games. We compare this new Shapley value to other extensions of the Shapley value to multichoice games. We also show how the probabilistic value (resp. semivalue, Banzhaf value, Shapley value) of a multichoice game is equal to the probabilistic value (resp. semivalue, Banzhaf value, Shapley value) of an appropriately defined TU decomposition game. Finally, we explain how semivalues, probabilistic values, the Banzhaf value, and this Shapley value may be viewed as the probability that a player makes a difference to the outcome of a simple multichoice game.     

Cores and related solution concepts for multi-choice games

A multi-choice game is a generalization of a cooperative game in which each player has several activity levels. Cooperative games form a subclass of the class of multi-choice games.This paper extends some solution concepts for cooperative games to multi-choice games. In particular, the notions of core, dominance core and Weber set are extended. Relations between cores and dominance cores and between cores and Weber sets are extensively studied. A class of flow games is introduced and relations with non-negative games with non-empty cores are investigated.     

Dynamic approach to solving bargaining games

The article examines the solution of bargaining games on the basis of the previously proposed paradigm of stationary strategies in supergames. The value of axiomatic bargaining theory for choosing the unique solution in agreement games is considered. The “splitting the dollar” game for two and three players is discussed as an application. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Matematika i Informatika, No. 22, pp. 91–104, 2005.     

Potential approach and characterizations of a Shapley value in multi-choice games

The main focus of this paper is on the restricted Shapley value for multi-choice games introduced by Derks and Peters [Derks, J., Peters, H., 1993. A Shapley value for games with restricted coalitions. International Journal of Game Theory 21, 351–360] and studied by Klijn et al. [Klijn, F., Slikker, M., Zazuelo, J., 1999. Characterizations of a multi-choice value. International Journal of Game Theory 28, 521–532]. We adopt several characterizations from TU game theory and reinterpret them in the framework of multi-choice games. We generalize the potential approach and show that this solution can be formulated as the vector of marginal contributions of a potential function. Also, we characterize the family of all solutions for multi-choice games that admit a potential. Further, a consistency result is reported.     

On equilibrium in pure strategies in games with many players

We demonstrate that, if there are sufficiently many players, any Bayesian equilibrium of an incomplete information game can be “ε-purified” . That is, close to any Bayesian equilibrium there is an approximate Bayesian equilibrium in pure strategies. Our main contribution is obtaining this result for games with a countable set of pure strategies. In order to do so we derive a mathematical result, in the spirit of the Shapley–Folkman Theorem, permitting countable strategy sets. Our main assumption is a “large game property,” dictating that the actions of relatively small subsets of players cannot have large affects on the payoffs of other players. E. Cartwright and M. Wooders are indebted to Phillip Reny, Frank Page and two anonymous referees for helpful comments.     

Equivalence theorem,consistency and axiomatizations of a multi-choice value

This paper is devoted to the study of solutions for multi-choice games which admit a potential, such as the potential associated with the extended Shapley value proposed by Hsiao and Raghavan (Int J Game Theory 21:301–302, 1992; Games Econ Behav 5:240–256, 1993). Several axiomatizations of the family of all solutions that admit a potential are offered and, as a main result, it is shown that each of these solutions can be obtained by applying the extended Shapley value to an appropriately modified game. In the framework of multi-choice games, we also provide an extension of the reduced game introduced by Hart and Mas-Colell (Econometrica 57:589–614, 1989). Different from the works of Hsiao and Raghavan (1992, 1993), we provide two types of axiomatizations, one is the analogue of Myerson’s (Int J Game Theory 9:169–182, 1980) axiomatization of the Shapley value based on the property of balanced contributions. The other axiomatization is obtained by means of the property of consistency.     

Aubin cores and bargaining sets for convex cooperative fuzzy games

In this paper, we deal with Aubin cores and bargaining sets in convex cooperative fuzzy games. We first give a simple and direct proof to the well-known result (proved by Branzei et al. (Fuzzy Sets Syst 139:267–281, 2003)) that for a convex cooperative fuzzy game v, its Aubin core C(v) coincides with its crisp core C ^cr (v). We then introduce the concept of bargaining sets for cooperative fuzzy games and prove that for a continuous convex cooperative fuzzy game v, its bargaining set coincides with its Aubin core, which extends a well-known result by Maschler et al. for classical cooperative games to cooperative fuzzy games. We also show that some results proved by Shapley (Int J Game Theory 1:11–26, 1971) for classical decomposable convex cooperative games can be extended to convex cooperative fuzzy games.     

Multi-choice clan games and their core

In this paper, we consider market situations with two corners. One corner consists of a group of powerful agents with yes-or-no choices and clan behavior. The other corner consists of non-powerful agents with multi-choices regarding the extent at which cooperation with the clan can be achieved. Multi-choice clan games arise from such market situations. The focus is on the analysis of the core of multi-choice clan games. Several characterizations of multi-choice clan games by the shape of the core are given, and the connection between the convexity of a multi-choice clan game and the stability of its core is studied.      

Dynamic realization games in newsvendor inventory centralization

Consider a set N of n (> 1) stores with single-item and single-period nondeterministic demands like in a classic newsvendor setting with holding and penalty costs only. Assume a risk-pooling single-warehouse centralized inventory ordering option. Allocation of costs in the centralized inventory ordering corresponds to modelling it as a cooperative cost game whose players are the stores. It has been shown that when holding and penalty costs are identical for all subsets of stores, the game based on optimal expected costs has a non empty core (Hartman et al. 2000, Games Econ Behav 31:26–49; Muller et al. 2002, Games Econ Behav 38:118–126). In this paper we examine a related inventory centralization game based on demand realizations that has, in general, an empty core even with identical penalty and holding costs (Hartman and Dror 2005, IIE Trans Scheduling Logistics 37:93–107). We propose a repeated cost allocation scheme for dynamic realization games based on allocation processes introduced by Lehrer (2002a, Int J Game Theor 31:341–351). We prove that the cost subsequences of the dynamic realization game process, based on Lehrer’s rules, converge almost surely to either a least square value or the core of the expected game. We extend the above results to more general dynamic cost games and relax the independence hypothesis of the sequence of players’ demands at different stages.     

Choice of solution in one-step bimatrix games

A new approach to the solution of one-step games is constructed, without using the concept of mixed strategy. The notion of a “set” solution of a bimatrix game is defined. It is shown that this solution always exists and may be found by a finite procedure. Examples are given illustrating the form of the “set” solution and the structure of the set of best responses for various levels of information availability to the players regarding the opponent’s behavior. __________ Translated from Nelineinaya Dinamika i Upravlenie, No. 4, pp. 341–356, 2004.     

Monotonicity and dummy free property for multi-choice cooperative games

Given a coalition of ann-person cooperative game in characteristic function form, we can associate a zero-one vector whose non-zero coordinates identify the players in the given coalition. The cooperative game with this identification is just a map on such vectors. By allowing each coordinate to take finitely many values we can define multi-choice cooperative games. In such multi-choice games we can also define Shapley value axiomatically. We show that this multi-choice Shapley value is dummy free of actions, dummy free of players, non-decreasing for non-decreasing multi-choice games, and strictly increasing for strictly increasing cooperative games. Some of these properties are closely related to some properties of independent exponentially distributed random variables. An advantage of multi-choice formulation is that it allows to model strategic behavior of players within the context of cooperation.Partially funded by the NSF grant DMS-9024408     

A note on isomorphism and strategic equivalence of cooperative games

In this note, we will give several examples to illustrate that two essential games which are isomorphic are not necessarily S-equivalent when the cores of both games are “small” or empty. In other words, we show that whether two isomorphic games are S-equivalent can not be justified in terms of the “size” of the core.     

多选择NTU对策核心的一个非空条件及公理化

提出了\pi-均衡多选择NTU对策的概念,证明了\pi-均衡多选择NTU对策的核心非空, 定义了多选择NTU对策的非水平性质和缩减对策,给出了相容性和逆相容性等概念. 用个体合理性、单人合理性、相容性和逆相容性对非水平多选择NTU对策的核心进行了公理化.