Organizational Design

The research focus of the Chair for Organizational Design is to improve the design of social and economic institutions using an approach that combines theory, laboratory experiments, and practical policy. Our interest is in solving major open design problems and to gain a better understanding of new mechanisms for auctions, trading, matching, voting, social learning and networking. The goal of the research is to advance our scientific knowledge and to provide practitioners with implementations that have been thoroughly tested in the laboratory. A large body of experimental research has uncovered empirical regularities not predicted by theory, creating a central role for “wind tunnel” testing of alternative institutions. The combination of mechanism design and wind tunnel testing defines our “engineering” approach to the design of better social and economic institutions.  Current projects include how to improve auctions and markets in the presence of demand complementarities, how communication can improve group decision making and alleviate moral hazard and adverse selection problems, how to sell products with deadlines such as airline tickets and how costless signaling can improve matching in labor markets. The research conducted at the Chair has an important policy component and has influenced the design of major spectrum auctions and markets for greenhouse gas pollution permits in Australia, Europe, and the US.

To obtain more information about our research and teaching activities, please follow the links to the individual webpages of the members of our group.

Administrative Office

Tobias Weber
Office: BLU - 018
Hours: Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00, 13.00-15.30 and Friday 13.30-17.00
Phone: +41 (0)44 634 55 28
EMail: tobias.weber@econ.uzh.ch

Address

Blümlisalpstrasse 10
CH-8006 Zürich