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Contracts with social multipliers

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  • Mary A. Burke
  • Kislaya Prasad

Abstract

We develop a model of contracting in which individual effort choices are subject to social pressure to conform to the average effort level of others in the same risk-sharing group. As in related models of social interactions, a change in exogenous variables or contract terms generates a social multiplier. In this environment, small differences in fundamentals such as skill or effort cost can lead to large differences in group productivity. We characterize the optimal contract for this environment and describe the properties of equilibria, properties that agree with stylized facts on effort compression in revenue-sharing settings. The model also implies potential sorting into groups on the basis of idiosyncratic effort costs. We estimate a significant social multiplier on physician productivity, using data on medical partnerships.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary A. Burke & Kislaya Prasad, 2005. "Contracts with social multipliers," Working Papers 05-17, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedbwp:05-17
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mary A. Burke & Frank Heiland, 2007. "Social Dynamics Of Obesity," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 45(3), pages 571-591, July.

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    Keywords

    Contracts; Social choice;

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