Fehr, Ernst; Schmidt, Klaus M. ![]() |
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Abstract
This paper examines how the presence of a non-negligible fraction of reciprocally fair actors changes the provision of incentives through contracts. We provide experimental evidence that principals have a strong preference for less complete contracts although the standard self-interest model predicts that they should prefer the more complete contract. Our theoretical analysis shows that fairness concerns can explain this preference for less completeness. Fair principals keep their promises which provides strong pecuniary incentives through an incomplete contract. Selfish principals free-ride and exploit the agents. Counter-intuitively, selfish agents are induced to work by an incomplete contract while fair agents shirk.
Item Type: | Journal article |
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Faculties: | Economics Economics > Chairs > Seminar for Economic Theory |
Subjects: | 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics |
Language: | English |
ID Code: | 20659 |
Deposited On: | 15. Apr 2014 09:01 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020 13:01 |
Available Versions of this Item
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Fairness, incentives, and contractual choices. (deposited 15. Apr 2014 09:01)
- Fairness, incentives, and contractual choices. (deposited 15. Apr 2014 09:01) [Currently Displayed]