The Cost of Contract Renegotiation: Evidence from the Local Public Sector

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2013
Volume: 103
Issue: 6
Pages: 2352-83

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

Contract theory claims that renegotiation prevents attainment of the efficient solution that could be obtained under full commitment. Assessing the cost of renegotiation remains an open issue from an empirical viewpoint. We fit a structural principal-agent model with renegotiation on a set of contracts for urban transport services. The model captures two important features of the industry as only two types of contracts are used (fixed price and cost-plus) and subsidies are greater following a cost-plus contract than following a fixed price one. We conclude that the welfare gains from improving commitment would be significant but would accrue mostly to operators.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:103:y:2013:i:6:p:2352-83
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25