Optimal effort in the principal-agent problem with time-inconsistent preferences

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 100909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Wang ◽  
Wenli Huang ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Xiaohong Zhang
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Chao Li ◽  
Zhijian Qiu

We consider the dynamic contract model with time inconsistency preference of principal-agent problem to study the influence of the time inconsistency preference on the optimal effort and the optimal reward mechanism. We show that when both the principal and the agent are time-consistent, the optimal effort and the optimal reward are the decreasing functions of the uncertain factor. And when the agent is time-inconsistent, the impatience of the agent has a negative impact on the optimal contract. The higher the discount rate of the agent is, the lower the efforts provided; agents tend to the timely enjoyment. In addition, when both the principal and the agent are time-inconsistent, in a special case, their impatience can offset the impact of uncertainty factor on the optimal contract, but, in turn, their impatience will affect the contract.


Author(s):  
Thomas Bauer ◽  
Franz Wirl

AbstractLeaders are role models that affect their employees’ efforts. The effect depends on how much an employee identifies with the “boss”. Since this degree of identification is private information of the employee, additional financial incentives must be provided. Therefore, we study a principal-agent problem in which the principal affects the agent’s effort by her own effort and by financial incentives. The resulting principal-agent problem has a few non-standard specifics such as: (i) bilateral externalities as the principal’s effort affects the agent and vice versa and (ii) endogenous reservation utility of the agent. Combined, this leads to non-trivial and interesting contracts.


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