7. Principal-Agent II A risk-neutral principal can hire a risk-averse agent to undertake a project. There are two possible outcomes for the gross profit of the principal, L = 20 and TH = 50. There are also two possible effort levels that the agent can exert, e = 0 or 1; if e = 0, the probability of H is only 1/3, but if e = 1, the probability of H increases to 2/3. The agent's utility from receiving a wage wand exerting effort e is √√we, and the agent has a reservation utility of ū = 2. (a) Assume that effort is observable. What wage will the principal offer if she wants to induce low effort? What wage will she offer if she wants to induce high effort? What contract is optimal for the principal?

Microeconomic Theory
12th Edition
ISBN:9781337517942
Author:NICHOLSON
Publisher:NICHOLSON
Chapter2: Mathematics For Microeconomics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 2.16P
icon
Related questions
Question
7. Principal-Agent II
A risk-neutral principal can hire a risk-averse agent to undertake a project. There
are two possible outcomes for the gross profit of the principal, TL
There are also two possible effort levels that the agent can exert, e = 0 or 1; if e = 0,
the probability of TH is only 1/3, but if e = 1, the probability of TH increases to 2/3.
20 and TH = 50.
The agent's utility from receiving a wage wand exerting effort e is Vw – e, and the
agent has a reservation utility of ū = 2.
(a) Assume that effort is observable.
What wage will the principal offer if she wants to induce low effort?
What wage will she offer if she wants to induce high effort?
What contract is optimal for the principal?
Transcribed Image Text:7. Principal-Agent II A risk-neutral principal can hire a risk-averse agent to undertake a project. There are two possible outcomes for the gross profit of the principal, TL There are also two possible effort levels that the agent can exert, e = 0 or 1; if e = 0, the probability of TH is only 1/3, but if e = 1, the probability of TH increases to 2/3. 20 and TH = 50. The agent's utility from receiving a wage wand exerting effort e is Vw – e, and the agent has a reservation utility of ū = 2. (a) Assume that effort is observable. What wage will the principal offer if she wants to induce low effort? What wage will she offer if she wants to induce high effort? What contract is optimal for the principal?
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps with 7 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Standard Deviation
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, economics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Microeconomic Theory
Microeconomic Theory
Economics
ISBN:
9781337517942
Author:
NICHOLSON
Publisher:
Cengage
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Cours…
Brief Principles of Macroeconomics (MindTap Cours…
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091985
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Essentials of Economics (MindTap Course List)
Economics
ISBN:
9781337091992
Author:
N. Gregory Mankiw
Publisher:
Cengage Learning