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Consider a principal - agent problem of moral hazard. A principal hires an agent to do a task, the output q takes two possible values

Consider a principal-agent problem of moral hazard. A principal hires an agent to do a task, the output q takes two possible values
q={10 probability Pr=p 5 probability Pr=1-p
The agent exert either low effort aL or high effort aH, which will affect the probability of high output level, p. And we have
p={0.7 for effort aH 0.4 for effort aL
Therefore, it's more likely to achieve high output with high effort level. Effort is costly with the cost of
c={1 for aH 0 for aL
The principal' utility function is Vq,t=q-t
where q is the output level and t the transfer to the agent. The agent is risk neutral and has the following utility function
Ut,c=t-c
The agent's reserveation expected utility is 0.
Derive the first best contract under full information. Which action level is preferred by the principal, low effort aL or high effort aH?(20 marks)
Now assume asymmetric information for the following questions, where the principal can't observe effort levels. Therefore the wage paid to the agent can only be contingent on output, denoted as t in {tL, tH}.
Under asymmetric information, what would be the optimal contact if the principal induces the agent to exert aH effort. (30 marks)
Under asymmetric information, what would be the optimal contact if the principal induces the agent to exert aL effort; which effort level would the principal implement under asymmetric information. (20 marks)
Now consider, agent is under the protection of limited liability, that is, tL >=0 and tH >=0. Suppose the principal wants the agent to exert aH effort, what would be the optimal contract? If the principal wants to induce aL, what's the optimal contract? Which one is better, aH or aL?(30 marks)

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