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Push or Pull? Performance-Pay, Incentives, and Information

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  • David Rietzke

    (Lancaster University)

  • Yu Chen

    (University of Graz, Austria)

Abstract

We study a principal-agent model wherein the agent is better informed of the prospects of the project, and the project requires both an observable and unobservable input. We characterize the optimal contracts, and explore the trade-offs between high and low-powered incentive schemes. We discuss the implications for push and pull programs used to encourage R&D activity, but our results are relevant in other contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • David Rietzke & Yu Chen, 2018. "Push or Pull? Performance-Pay, Incentives, and Information," Graz Economics Papers 2018-12, University of Graz, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:grz:wpaper:2018-12
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    Cited by:

    1. Meng Wei Chen & Yu Chen & Zhen-Hua Wu & Ningru Zhao, 2018. "Government Intervention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship," Graz Economics Papers 2018-15, University of Graz, Department of Economics.
    2. Gamba, Simona & Magazzini, Laura & Pertile, Paolo, 2021. "R&D and market size: Who benefits from orphan drug legislation?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    3. Rosella Levaggi & Paolo Pertile, 2021. "A reply to “Who would benefit from average value‐based pricing?”," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(9), pages 2284-2286, September.
    4. Bo Chen & Yu Chen & David Rietzke, 2017. "Simple Contracts under Observable and Hidden Actions," Graz Economics Papers 2017-07, University of Graz, Department of Economics.
    5. Daniel Reiter, 2020. "Socioeconomic Integration through Language: Evidence from the European Union," Graz Economics Papers 2020-15, University of Graz, Department of Economics.
    6. Bo Chen & Yu Chen & David Rietzke, 2020. "Simple contracts under observable and hidden actions," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 69(4), pages 1023-1047, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pay for Performance; Moral Hazard; Adverse Selection; Observable Action; Principal-Agent Problem;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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