Characterizing optimal wages in principal-agent problems without using the first-order approach. (1st February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nasri, Mostafa
• Is Part Of: Optimization. Volume 65:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 467
• Page End: 478
• Publication Date: 2016-02-01
• Subjects: convexity of the distribution function condition -- duality -- first-order approach -- monotone likelihood ratio -- principal-agent problem -- semi-infinite programming; Mathematical optimization -- Periodicals; 519.7
• DOI: 10.1080/02331934.2015.1059837
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0233-1934

Abstract

Abstract : The analysis of the principal-agent problem usually requires the classical first-order approach (FOA). However, the validity of the FOA makes restrictive assumptions on the problem under consideration such as the convexity of the distribution function condition. The main aim of this paper is to compute the optimal wages and characterize a closed form solution to the risk-neutral principal-agent problem with limited liability constraints. The development in this paper mainly invokes certain techniques in the semi-infinite programming rather than the FOA.