W7164011033 Peer-reviewed research AI × management and organizations

Artificial Collusion: Examining Supracompetitive Pricing by Q-Learning Algorithms

Arnoud den Boer · Janusz M. Meylahn · Maarten Pieter Schinkel

Also recorded as: doi:10.1287/mnsc.2024.08557

Management Science · 2026-06-09

Recorded claims
2
coded from the inspected source
Evidence classes
1
crossref-api-metadata
Recorded limitations
3
stated, never hidden

From the hash-bound evidence releases

Recorded claims

Each claim states what the inspected source says, at the recorded location—bounded by its scope and graded by its confidence. Nothing here is a synthesis across works.

The analysis argues that Q-learning reaches collusive equilibria only under impractical timing and synchronization conditions, distinguishes autonomous algorithmic collusion from software implementing an explicit cartel, and proposes criteria relevant to competition oversight.

confidence: high crossref-api-metadata apw-c1-obot-journals

Scope: publisher-deposited abstract metadata; firm competition and competition-agency implications

The Crossref abstract examines whether competitors using Q-learning pricing algorithms can autonomously sustain collusive outcomes and develops criteria for practically relevant algorithmic collusion in competition policy.

confidence: high crossref-api-metadata apw-c1-obot-journals

Scope: publisher-deposited abstract-level metadata

Structured relationships

In-corpus citations

Only source-supplied cites relationships whose two endpoints are admitted are shown. Invocation evidence remains a separate relationship.

Cites (2)

Cited by (0)

No in-corpus incoming citation is available in the current enrichment coverage.

Boundaries

Limitations & independence

Recorded at coding time, carried with the work forever. A claim without its limits is not evidence.

Recorded limitations

  • Abstract-level Crossref metadata only; the publisher landing page could not be retained because public retrieval was access-blocked.
  • Full text was not inspected.
  • Abstract-level Crossref metadata only; the publisher Articles in Advance listing returned an access challenge and was not used.

Source independence

publisher-only