Answered step by step
Verified Expert Solution
Link Copied!

Question

...
1 Approved Answer

This question asks you to think about the implications of moral hazard when both the prin- cipal and the agent are risk neutral, but the

image text in transcribed
This question asks you to think about the implications of moral hazard when both the prin- cipal and the agent are risk neutral, but the agent has limited liability. An agent is producing output a: for the principal. Output can take on two values: a," E {0, 1}. The probability that output is high depends on the agent's action 6 E [0, co), and is given by 10(6). Suppose that p is continuously di'erentiable, 10(0) = O, p'(0) > 1, and lim,.3_,DO p'(e) = 0. The effort cost of exerting e'ort level 6 is simply e. The agent's outside option gives her utility zero. Both the principal and the agent are risk-neutral. The principal can offer the agent a reward contract 8(53) as a function of output :L'. As a function of 9:, the principal's utility is then m 8(56). As a function of the effort level 6 and output :3, the agent's utility is 5(a) e. The timing of the contracting game is the following. First, the principal offers the agent a take-it-or-leave-it contract s(-). The agent accepts or rejects. If she accepts, she chooses her effort level. Finally, the output is realized and payments are made. (a) Suppose that there is no restriction placed on the function s(:r). Derive the properties of the Optimal contract and interpret. (b) Now suppose that the agent has limited liability: the principal's contract has to beat her outside option in every state of the world, not just on average. That is, 3(39) 2 0 for a: 6 {0,1}. Derive the prOperties of the Optimal contract, and compare it to those found in the previous part. Explain the intuition. (c) Based on these results, argue informally that one could have involuntary unemployment in the labor market: there could be workers out there willing to take jobs at below-market wages, yet rms are not hiring them nor lowering wages for existing workers

Step by Step Solution

There are 3 Steps involved in it

Step: 1

blur-text-image

Get Instant Access with AI-Powered Solutions

See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success

Step: 2

blur-text-image

Step: 3

blur-text-image

Ace Your Homework with AI

Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance

Get Started

Recommended Textbook for

Applied Physics

Authors: Dale ewen, Neill schurter, P. erik gundersen

10th Edition

978-0132109277

Students also viewed these Economics questions