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A Matter of Interpretation: Bargaining over Ambiguous Contracts

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Grant

    (Department of Economics, Rice University)

  • Jeff Kline

    (Department of Economics, University of Queensland)

  • John Quiggin

    (Department of Economics, University of Queensland)

Abstract

We present a formal treatment of contracting in the face of ambiguity. The central idea is that boundedly rational individuals will not always interpret the same situation in the same way. More specifically, even with well defined contracts, the precise actions to be taken by each party to the contract might be disputable. Taking this potential for dispute into account, we analyze the effects of ambiguity on contracting. We find that risk averse agents will engage in ambiguous contracts for risk sharing reasons. We provide an application where ambiguity motivates the use of a liquidated damages contract.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Grant & Jeff Kline & John Quiggin, 2009. "A Matter of Interpretation: Bargaining over Ambiguous Contracts," Risk & Uncertainty Working Papers WPR09_3, Risk and Sustainable Management Group, University of Queensland.
    • Handle: RePEc:rsm:riskun:r09_3
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    File URL: http://www.uq.edu.au/rsmg/WP/WPR09_03.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Halpern, Joseph Y. & Kets, Willemien, 2015. "Ambiguous language and common priors," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 171-180.

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    JEL classification:

    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design

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