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A Game-Theoretic Model of Sexual Harassment

Author

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  • Batabyal, Amitrajeet
  • Beladi, Hamid

Abstract

We focus on the interaction between a male employee and his supervisor and analyze a game-theoretic model of sexual harassment in the workplace. The male employee is accused of sexually harassing a female employee and the supervisor's task is to gather evidence and then determine whether to legally charge the male employee with sexual harassment. The evidence gathering process is random and concrete evidence is available to the supervisor with probability one-half. Our analysis of this strategic interaction leads to four results. First, we delineate the game in extensive form. Second, we specify the matrix that represents the normal form of the extensive form. Third, we show that there is no pure-strategy Nash equilibrium in the game between the male employee and his supervisor. Finally, we show that there exists a mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium in the same male employee-supervisor game.

Suggested Citation

  • Batabyal, Amitrajeet & Beladi, Hamid, 2020. "A Game-Theoretic Model of Sexual Harassment," MPRA Paper 100181, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 15 Apr 2020.
  • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:100181
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. McCann, Deirdre M., 2005. "Sexual harassment at work : national and international responses," ILO Working Papers 993752193402676, International Labour Organization.
    2. Joni Hersch, 2018. "Valuing the risk of workplace sexual harassment," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 57(2), pages 111-131, October.
    3. Peter Duersch & Jörg Oechssler & Burkhard Schipper, 2012. "Pure strategy equilibria in symmetric two-player zero-sum games," International Journal of Game Theory, Springer;Game Theory Society, vol. 41(3), pages 553-564, August.
    4. repec:ilo:ilowps:375219 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Kaushik Basu, 2003. "The Economics and Law of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 17(3), pages 141-157, Summer.
    6. Kingsley R. Browne, 2006. "Sex, power, and dominance: the evolutionary psychology of sexual harassment," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(2-3), pages 145-158.
    7. Antecol, Heather & Cobb-Clark, Deborah, 2006. "The sexual harassment of female active-duty personnel: Effects on job satisfaction and intentions to remain in the military," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 55-80, September.
    8. Sean Farhang & Jonathan P. Kastellec & Gregory J. Wawro, 2015. "The Politics of Opinion Assignment and Authorship on the US Court of Appeals: Evidence from Sexual Harassment Cases," The Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 44(S1), pages 59-85.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Evidence; Mixed-Strategy Nash Equilibrium; Sexual Harassment; Supervisor;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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