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Selected Works of Davide Ticchi
Article
Optimal Incentives in a Principal–Agent Model with Endogenous Technology
Games (2018)
  • Marco A. Marini, Sapienza University of Rome
  • Paolo Polidori, University of Urbino
  • Désirée Teobaldelli, University of Urbino
  • Davide Ticchi, Marche Polytechnic University
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Abstract
One of the standard predictions of the agency theory is that more incentives can be given to agents with lower risk aversion. In this paper, we show that this relationship may be absent or reversed when the technology is endogenous and projects with a higher efficiency are also riskier. Using a modified version of the Holmstrom and Milgrom’s framework, we obtain that lower agent’s risk aversion unambiguously leads to higher incentives when the technology function linking efficiency and riskiness is elastic, while the risk aversion–incentive relationship can be positive when this function is rigid.
Keywords
  • principal–agent; incentives; risk aversion; endogenous technology
Disciplines
Publication Date
Winter February 5, 2018
DOI
10.3390/g9010006
Citation Information
Marini, Marco A., Paolo Polidori, Désirée Teobaldelli, Davide Ticchi. “Optimal Incentives in a Principal–Agent Model with Endogenous Technology.” Games, 2018, 9(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/g9010006