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Time and State Dependence in an Ss Decision Experiment

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  • Jacopo Magnani
  • Aspen Gorry
  • Ryan Oprea

Abstract

Flow earnings in a laboratory experiment decline the further a Brownian state variable, z, evolves from its optimal level, z*. Optimal state dependent models predict subjects will pay a fixed cost to return z to z* only when z strays outside a critical inaction region around the optimum. On average, subjects adjust at states remarkably close to optimal threshold levels but, as in the field, do not establish true "state dependent" inaction regions, suggesting significant "time dependent" components in adjustment rules. Structural estimates of subjective observation cost qualitatively account for variation in time dependence observed across treatments. (JEL C91, D21, D80)

Suggested Citation

  • Jacopo Magnani & Aspen Gorry & Ryan Oprea, 2016. "Time and State Dependence in an Ss Decision Experiment," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 8(1), pages 285-310, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmac:v:8:y:2016:i:1:p:285-310
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/mac.20130267
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    4. Khaw, Mel Win & Stevens, Luminita & Woodford, Michael, 2017. "Discrete adjustment to a changing environment: Experimental evidence," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 88-103.
    5. Fernando Alvarez & Francesco Lippi & Luigi Paciello, 2018. "Monetary shocks in models with observation and menu costs," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 16(2), pages 353-382.
    6. Pan, Jinrui & Shachat, Jason & Wei, Sijia, 2018. "Cognitive stress and learning Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) inventory management: An experimental investigation," MPRA Paper 93214, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Jinrui Pan & Jason Shachat & Sijia Wei, 2022. "Cognitive Stress and Learning Economic Order Quantity Inventory Management: An Experimental Investigation," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 19(3), pages 229-254, September.
    8. Adnan M. S. Fakir & Yiwei Qian & Naveen Sunder, 2023. "Gender Differences in Preference for Non-pecuniary Benefits in the Labour Market. Experimental Evidence from an Online Freelancing Platform.," Working Paper Series 0623, Department of Economics, University of Sussex Business School.
    9. LeBlanc, Justin D. & Civelli, Andrea & Deck, Cary & Bregu, Klajdi, 2016. "State dependent price setting rules under implicit thresholds: An experiment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 17-44.
    10. Orland, Andreas & Roos, Michael W.M., 2019. "Price-setting with quadratic adjustment costs: Experimental evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 88-116.
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    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General

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