The Dynamic Efficiency Costs of Common-Pool Resource Exploitation

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2014
Volume: 104
Issue: 12
Pages: 4071-4103

Authors (2)

Ling Huang (not in RePEc) Martin D. Smith (Duke University)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We conduct the first empirical investigation of common-pool resource users' dynamic and strategic behavior at the micro level using real-world data. Fishermen's strategies in a fully dynamic game account for latent resource dynamics and other players' actions, revealing the profit structure of the fishery. We compare the fishermen's actual and socially optimal exploitation paths under a time-specific vessel allocation policy and find a sizable dynamic externality. Individual fishermen respond to other users by exerting effort above the optimal level early in the season. Congestion is costly instantaneously but is beneficial in the long run because it partially offsets dynamic inefficiencies. (JEL D24, Q21, Q22)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:104:y:2014:i:12:p:4071-4103
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29