In this paper we argue that, by modelling the contracting process as a bargaining game, one can endogenize the choice between complete and incomplete contracts. This point is demonstrated within a stylized model in which agents can allocate an endowment stream either via a once-for-all bargain over the entire stream--a long-term contract--or through a series of bargaining rounds--a short-term contract. Within this structure, short-term contracts arise as equilibrium outcomes under very general conditions, because a short-term contract implies reduced bargaining costs for one of the agents. In essence, reduced 'transaction costs' produce a short-term contract.
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Volume (Year): 32 (1999) Issue (Month): 4 (August) Pages: 956-975 Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML
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Find related papers by JEL classification: L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
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