The holdup problem arises when parties negotiate to divide the surplus generated by their relationship specific investments. We study this problem in a dynamic model of bargaining and investment which, unlike the stylized static model, allows the parties to continue to invest until they agree on the terms of trade. The investment dynamics overturns the conventional wisdom dramatically. First, the holdup problem need not entail underinvestment when the parties are sufficiently patient. Second, inefficiencies can arise unambiguously in some cases, but they are not caused by the sharing of surplus per se but rather by a failure of an individual rationality constraint. Copyright The Econometric Society 2004.
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Article provided by Econometric Society in its journal Econometrica.
Volume (Year): 72 (2004) Issue (Month): 4 (07) Pages: 1063-1103 Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML
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Helmut Bester, 2009.
"Investment and the Holdup Problem in a Matching Market,"
Discussion Papers
263, SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich.
[Downloadable!]
Sergei Guriev & Dmitriy Kvasov, 2005.
"Contracting on Time,"
American Economic Review,
American Economic Association, vol. 95(5), pages 1369-1385, December.
[Downloadable!]
Other versions:
Sergei Guriev & Dmitriy Kvasov, 2005.
"Contracting on Time,"
Working Papers
w0059, Center for Economic and Financial Research (CEFIR).
[Downloadable!]