The role of commitment in bilateral trade

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Theory
Year: 2014
Volume: 154
Issue: C
Pages: 578-603

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This paper characterizes the set of equilibrium payoffs in bargaining with interdependent values when the informed party makes all offers, as discounting vanishes. The seller of a good is informed of its quality, which affects both his cost and the buyer's valuation, but the buyer is not. To characterize this payoff set, we derive an upper bound, using mechanism design with limited commitment. We then prove that this upper bound is tight, by showing that all its extreme points are equilibrium payoffs. Our results shed light on the role of different forms of commitment in bargaining. In particular, they imply that the buyer's inability to commit before observing the terms of trade is what precludes efficiency.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jetheo:v:154:y:2014:i:c:p:578-603
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25