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Impact of the Information Asymmetry Between Managers and Owners Under Oligopoly

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  • Duarte Brito
  • Pedro Pereira
  • João Vareda

Abstract

We show, using a Hotelling (1929) model with Laffont and Tirole (1986) firms, that under duopoly, the information asymmetry caused by the separation of ownership and control has two effects on owners’ incentives to induce effort. Information asymmetry raises the marginal cost of inducing effort, which decreases efforts and increases prices. Since all firms’ prices increase, this leads to a change in the expected demand of each firm, and thus in the marginal benefit of inducing effort, which may amplify or mitigate the initial impact. As a consequence, information asymmetry may induce some firms to increase efforts and lower prices. More surprisingly, it may increase both ex post and ex ante social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Duarte Brito & Pedro Pereira & João Vareda, 2016. "Impact of the Information Asymmetry Between Managers and Owners Under Oligopoly," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 82(4), pages 1311-1326, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:82:y:2016:i:4:p:1311-1326
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12121
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    References listed on IDEAS

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