Stochastic programming: Potential hazards when random variables reflect market interaction

Kjetil Haugen and Stein Wallace

Annals of Operations Research, 2006, vol. 142, issue 1, 119-127

Abstract: There are two types of random phenomena modeled in stochastic programs. One type is what we may term “external” or “natural” random variables, such as temperature or the roll of a dice. But in many other cases, random variables are used to reflect the behavior of other market participants. This is the case for such as price and demand of a product. Using simple game theoretic models, we demonstrate that stochastic programming may not be appropriate in these cases, as there may be no feasible way to replace the decisions of others by a random variable, and arrive at the correct decision. Hence, this simple note is a warning against certain types of stochastic programming models. Stochastic programming is unproblematic in pure forms of monopoly and perfect competition, and also with respect to external random phenomena. But if market power is involved, such as in oligopolies, the modeling may not be appropriate. Copyright Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. 2006

Keywords: Stochastic programming; Game theory; Markets (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10479-006-6164-0

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