Back to selection
29966-01 - Lecture: Contest Theory (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers | Cédric Wasser (c.wasser@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | A contest describes a situation where several individuals compete for one or several prizes by investing resources that cannot be recovered, regardless of the outcome of the competition. Contest theory analyzes such situations with the help of economic models and game theory. Many different economic interactions can be modeled as a contest: for example, advertising, research and development, public procurement, relative reward schemes in firms, political competition, lobbying, sports, and military conflicts. Contest theory uncovers common principles underlying different contest situations, offers explanations for observed phenomena, and may guide the optimal design of contests. This course provides an introduction to contest theory. Key concepts and results are developed, and various applications are discussed. |
| Learning objectives | The course gives students an overview of contest theory. They know the key theoretical concepts and results as well as their application to specific examples. |
| Bibliography | Konrad, K. A. (2009) "Strategy and Dynamics in Contests", Oxford University Press. Vojnovic, M. (2016) "Contest Theory: Incentive Mechanisms and Ranking Methods", Cambridge University Press. |
| Admission requirements | Students are expected to have basic knowledge of microeconomics and game theory. |
| Course application | Registration: Please enroll in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch); Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week! Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html After successful registration you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Applies to everyone: Enrolment = Registration for the course and the exam! |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 14.15-16.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Auditorium |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Core Courses in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Field Electives in Economics and Public Policy (Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy) Module: Specific Electives in Business and Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Module: Specific Electives in Economics (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Date exam: tbd |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |