Information Economics and Contract Theory

Traditionally, the research interests of our group have been in the areas of game theory, contract theory, and auction theory. More recent research interests of our group, however, concern financial auctions, market microstructure, and financial decision making . On the methodological side, we mainly employ and develop microeconomic theory, including behavioral approaches.

An increasing fraction of our research is applied in the sense that the institutional environment is reflected in the modeling. An important example of this more applied research concerns the weekly refinancing operations conducted by the European Central Bank . The economic analysis of these auctions presupposes an understanding of the various segments of the euro money market. Moreover, central bank auctions constitute a regular element of commercial banks’ liquidity risk management , which has been severely stress-tested with the outset of the subprime turbulences in August 2007.

In line with our research interests, our teaching activities are in the areas of microeconomic theory and financial applications . Specifically, we have offered courses and seminars in contract theory, information economics, game theory, theory of the firm, decision theory, auction theory, market microstructure, market manipulation, bank runs, structured finance, and systemic stability.

Office

Opening hours:

Bettina Hannwacker

Office: WIH-F17
Phone: +41 (0)44 634 35 91
Fax: +41 (0)44 634 49 78
E-Mail: bettina.hannwacker@econ.uzh.ch

Postal Address

Winterthurerstrasse 30
CH-8006 Zurich