Random Inspections and Periodic Reviews: Optimal Dynamic Monitoring

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 2020
Volume: 87
Issue: 6
Pages: 2893-2937

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We study the design of monitoring in dynamic settings with moral hazard. An agent (e.g. a firm) benefits from reputation for quality, and a principal (e.g. a regulator) can learn the agent’s quality via costly inspections. Monitoring plays two roles: an incentive role, because outcomes of inspections affect agent’s reputation, and an informational role because the principal directly values the information. We characterize the optimal monitoring policy inducing full effort. When information is the principal’s main concern, optimal monitoring is deterministic with periodic reviews. When incentive provision is the main concern, optimal monitoring is random with a constant hazard rate.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:87:y:2020:i:6:p:2893-2937.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29