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Randomization in contracts with endogenous information

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  • Terstiege, Stefan

Abstract

I consider a situation, where the agent can acquire payoff-relevant information either before or after the contract is signed. To raise efficiency, the principal might solicit information; to retain all surplus, however, she must prevent precontractual information gathering. The following class of stochastic contracts may solve this trade-off optimally: before signing, information acquisition is not solicited, and afterwards randomly. The key insight is that randomization makes precontractual information costlier for the agent.

Suggested Citation

  • Terstiege, Stefan, 2011. "Randomization in contracts with endogenous information," Bonn Econ Discussion Papers 07/2011, University of Bonn, Bonn Graduate School of Economics (BGSE).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:bonedp:072011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information acquisition; Principal-agent; Mechanism design; Randomization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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