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Progressive Learning

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  • Avidit Acharya
  • Juan Ortner

Abstract

We study a dynamic principal–agent relationship with adverse selection and limited commitment. We show that when the relationship is subject to productivity shocks, the principal may be able to improve her value over time by progressively learning the agent's private information. She may even achieve her first‐best payoff in the long run. The relationship may also exhibit path dependence, with early shocks determining the principal's long‐run value. These findings contrast sharply with the results of the ratchet effect literature, in which the principal persistently obtains low payoffs, giving up substantial informational rents to the agent.

Suggested Citation

  • Avidit Acharya & Juan Ortner, 2017. "Progressive Learning," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 85(6), pages 1965-1990, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:emetrp:v:85:y:2017:i:6:p:1965-1990
    DOI: 10.3982/ECTA14718
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    Cited by:

    1. Doval, Laura & Skreta, Vasiliki, 2024. "Optimal mechanism for the sale of a durable good," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 19(2), May.
    2. Ekmekci, Mehmet & Maestri, Lucas, 2022. "Wait or act now? Learning dynamics in stopping games," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    3. Johannes Abeler & David Huffman & Collin Raymond & David B. Huffman, 2023. "Incentive Complexity, Bounded Rationality and Effort Provision," CESifo Working Paper Series 10541, CESifo.
    4. Brzustowski, Thomas & Georgiadis Harris, Alkis & Szentes, Balázs, 2023. "Smart contracts and the Coase conjecture," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117950, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    5. Abeler, Johannes & Huffman, David B. & Raymond, Collin, 2023. "Incentive Complexity, Bounded Rationality and Effort Provision," IZA Discussion Papers 16284, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Yonatan Gur & Gregory Macnamara & Daniela Saban, 2022. "Sequential Procurement with Contractual and Experimental Learning," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(4), pages 2714-2731, April.

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