Selfish routing in public services

Vincent A. Knight and Paul R. Harper

European Journal of Operational Research, 2013, vol. 230, issue 1, 122-132

Abstract: It is well observed that individual behaviour can have an effect on the efficiency of queueing systems. The impact of this behaviour on the economic efficiency of public services is considered in this paper where we present results concerning the congestion related implications of decisions made by individuals when choosing between facilities. The work presented has important managerial implications at a public policy level when considering the effect of allowing individuals to choose between providers. We show that in general the introduction of choice in an already inefficient system will not have a negative effect. Introducing choice in a system that copes with demand will have a negative effect.

Keywords: Game theory; Queueing theory; Health care; OR in health services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:230:y:2013:i:1:p:122-132

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2013.04.003

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