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Silver Signals: Twenty-Five Years of Screening and Signaling

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  • John G. Riley

Abstract

The theory of market signaling and screening is a cornerstone of the new economics of information. The last two and a half decades have not only witnessed a series of remarkable theoretical developments but also a wide range of applications. This essay examines the key theoretical issues and explores their use in three major fields: industrial organization, labor, and finance. Considerable emphasis is placed on attempts to test the theory in each of these fields.

Suggested Citation

  • John G. Riley, 2001. "Silver Signals: Twenty-Five Years of Screening and Signaling," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 39(2), pages 432-478, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:39:y:2001:i:2:p:432-478
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jel.39.2.432
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • C70 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - General

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