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When second opinions hurt: A model of expert advice under career concerns

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  • Liu, Yaozhou Franklin
  • Sanyal, Amal

Abstract

We develop a reputational cheap talk model where the principal can cancel an action initially started on the advice of an expert if she gets some unfavorable interim news. But if the status quo is reinstated, the principal is unable to verify the true state of the world. In the model, experts want to appear smart and we find that the possibility of canceling the action encourages less well informed experts to recommend it more often. We then show that gaining access to interim news as well as improving the quality of an existing one can both reduce the principal's welfare. The model implies that delegating the decision rights to another person with different preferences can be used as a commitment device by the principal and might improve her welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Yaozhou Franklin & Sanyal, Amal, 2012. "When second opinions hurt: A model of expert advice under career concerns," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 84(1), pages 1-16.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:84:y:2012:i:1:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2012.07.006
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    Cited by:

    1. Qiang Fu & Ming Li & Xue Qiao, 2022. "On the paradox of mediocracy," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 492-521, April.
    2. Camara, Fanny, 2019. "Avoiding Judgement by Recommending Inaction: Beliefs Manipulation and Reputational Concerns," CEPR Discussion Papers 14149, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Tomoya Tajika, 2021. "Persistent and snap decision‐making," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 203-227, February.
    4. Fu, Qiang & Li, Ming, 2014. "Reputation-concerned policy makers and institutional status quo bias," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 15-25.
    5. Foerster, Manuel & Voss, Achim, 2022. "Believe me, I am ignorant, but not biased," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    6. Andina-Díaz, Ascensión & García-Martínez, José A., 2023. "Reputation and perverse transparency under two concerns," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Career concerns; Reputational cheap-talk; Signaling game;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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