Investment shocks and inequality dynamics

C-Tier
Journal: Economic Modeling
Year: 2021
Volume: 94
Issue: C
Pages: 570-579

Authors (2)

Gokmen, Gunes (Lunds Universitet) Morin, Annaig (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

We explore the dynamics of income and income inequality under asymmetric information in credit markets. Within a stochastic overlapping-generations framework, we study the investment decision of entrepreneurs with heterogeneous abilities. Under information asymmetry, banks do not observe entrepreneurial ability and offer a single pooled loan contract to all entrepreneurs. We show that, following a negative investment shock, the average quality of the entrepreneur pool improves and banks optimally react by lowering the pooled borrowing rate. This reduction in the borrowing rate mitigates the drop in entrepreneurs' income. Consequently, after a negative investment shock, income inequality decreases less compared to the case of full information. Our findings therefore suggest that information asymmetry lessens the fluctuations in income inequality.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecmode:v:94:y:2021:i:c:p:570-579
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25