Moral hazard and the property rights approach to the theory of the firm

C-Tier
Journal: Economics Letters
Year: 2020
Volume: 186
Issue: C

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

In the Grossman–Hart–Moore property rights theory, there are no frictions ex post (i.e., after non-contractible investments have been sunk). In contrast, in transaction cost economics ex-post frictions play a central role. We bring the property rights theory closer to transaction cost economics by allowing for ex-post moral hazard. As a consequence, central conclusions of the Grossman–Hart–Moore theory may be overturned. In particular, even though only party A has to make an investment decision, B-ownership can yield higher investment incentives. Moreover, ownership matters even when investments are fully relationship-specific (i.e., when they have no impact on the parties’ disagreement payoffs).

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecolet:v:186:y:2020:i:c:s0165176519302393
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29