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Communication in Private-Information Models: Theory and Computation

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  • Edward Simpson Prescott

    (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, e-mail: edward.prescott@rich.frb.org)

Abstract

Communication and no-communication versions of a two-stage principal-agent model are compared. The models contain a risk-averse agent and two sources of private information, a shock to preferences followed by a productive action. Both models are formulated as linear programs, which are then used to compute solutions to examples. For the communication model, an alternative method of accounting for the utility from off-equilibrium strategies is derived. This method greatly reduces the size of the linear program. For the no-communication model a Revelation-Principle like proof is provided. In simple cases, a sufficient condition for communication to be valuable is derived. In these cases, communication improves risk-sharing in bad states of the world. In more complicated cases, computed examples demonstrate how communication may also alter labor supply. Further examples demonstrate how action and consumption lotteries may separate agents by their shock. The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance Theory (2003) 28, 105–130. doi:10.1023/A:1026388604459

Suggested Citation

  • Edward Simpson Prescott, 2003. "Communication in Private-Information Models: Theory and Computation," The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics (The Geneva Association), vol. 28(2), pages 105-130, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:genrir:v:28:y:2003:i:2:p:105-130
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    Cited by:

    1. Marshall, David A. & Prescott, Edward Simpson, 2006. "State-contingent bank regulation with unobserved actions and unobserved characteristics," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 30(11), pages 2015-2049, November.
    2. David A. Marshall & Edward Simpson Prescott, 2004. "State-Contingent Bank Regulation with Unobserved Actions and Unobserved Characteristics," Working Papers wp2004_0407, CEMFI.
    3. Edward Simpson Prescott & Robert M. Townsend, 2003. "Mechanism design and assignment models," Working Paper 03-09, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
    4. Alexander Karaivanov & Robert M. Townsend, 2014. "Dynamic Financial Constraints: Distinguishing Mechanism Design From Exogenously Incomplete Regimes," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 82(3), pages 887-959, May.
    5. Robert M. Townsend & Jacob Yaron, 2001. "The credit risk-contingency system of an Asian development bank," Economic Perspectives, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, vol. 25(Q III), pages 31-48.
    6. Alem, Mauro & Jorge Elias, Julio, 2018. "Allocating production risks through credit cum insurance contracts: the design and implementation of a fund for small cotton growers to access market finance," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(2), March.

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