Deterministic versus Stochastic Contracts in a Dynamic Principal-Agent Model

Mettral, Thomas (2018): Deterministic versus Stochastic Contracts in a Dynamic Principal-Agent Model. Collaborative Research Center Transregio 190, Discussion Paper No. 93

Abstract

I show that deterministic dynamic contracts between a principal and an agent are always at least as profitable to the principal as stochastic ones, if the so-called first-order approach in dynamic mechanism design is satisfied. The principal commits, while the agent's type evolution follows a Markov process. My results demonstrate, even when allowing for potential correlation of stochastic contracts across periods that the usual restriction in the literature to deterministic contracts is admissible, as long as the first-order approach is valid.

• Item Type: Paper
• Keywords: contract theory; principal-agent theory; dynamic contracting
• Faculties: Economics > Collaborative Research Center Transregio "Rationality and Competition"
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics
• JEL Classification: D82, D86
• Language: English