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The Value of Preference Information in Agency Relationships

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  • R. Vetschera

Abstract

Standard models of agency theory assume that the principal has considerable information about the preferences of the agent. Once this assumption is relaxed, the question arises whether the principal should try to obtain additional information about the agent's preferences. In this paper we introduce the concept of a Value of Preference Information (VPI), which describes the benefits to the principal from obtaining additional information about the agent's preferences. We show analytically that the VPI is non-negative and that the VPI will not decrease when the principal's information structure is refined. Computational methods are used to study factors influencing the VPI. The results of these experiments show a strong relationship between the entropy of the principal's information structure and the VPI. It is thus possible to evaluate an information structure independently of the decision problem delegated to the agent.

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  • R. Vetschera, 1998. "The Value of Preference Information in Agency Relationships," Working Papers ir98107, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis.
    • Handle: RePEc:wop:iasawp:ir98107
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    1. Weber, Martin, 1987. "Decision making with incomplete information," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 44-57, January.
    2. Schneewei[beta], Christoph, 1995. "Hierarchical structures in organisations: A conceptual framework," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 4-31, October.
    3. Grossman, Sanford J & Hart, Oliver D, 1983. "An Analysis of the Principal-Agent Problem," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 51(1), pages 7-45, January.
    4. Levinthal, Daniel, 1988. "A survey of agency models of organizations," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 153-185, March.
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