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The effects of costly exploration on optimal investment timing

Author

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  • Michi NISHIHARA

    (Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University)

  • Takashi SHIBATA

    (Graduate School of Social Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge)

Abstract

This paper investigates a principal-agent model in which an owner (principal) optimizes a contract with a manager (agent) delegated to undertake an investment project. In the model, we explore the effects of costly exploration by which the manager learns the real value of development cost. We show that high exploration cost can lead to a pooling policy not contingent on project type. Further, and more notably, we show that, in the presence of asymmetric information, higher exploration cost leads to wealth transfer from owner to manager and can then play a positive role in preventing a greedy contract by the owner and improving social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Michi NISHIHARA & Takashi SHIBATA, 2010. "The effects of costly exploration on optimal investment timing," Discussion Papers in Economics and Business 10-27, Osaka University, Graduate School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:osk:wpaper:1027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Abdelhafid Benamraoui & Yousef Alwardat, 2019. "Asymmetric Information and Islamic Financial Contracts," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(1), pages 96-108, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real Options; Asymmetric Information; Costly Learning; Sequential Investment; Incentive Theory;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies

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