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An Agent-Based Model of Delegation Relationships With Hidden-Action: On the Effects of Heterogeneous Memory on Performance

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  • Patrick Reinwald
  • Stephan Leitner
  • Friederike Wall

Abstract

We introduce an agent-based model of delegation relationships between a principal and an agent, which is based on the standard-hidden action model introduced by Holmstr\"om and, by doing so, provide a model which can be used to further explore theoretical topics in managerial economics, such as the efficiency of incentive mechanisms. We employ the concept of agentization, i.e., we systematically transform the standard hidden-action model into an agent-based model. Our modeling approach allows for a relaxation of some of the rather "heroic" assumptions included in the standard hidden-action model, whereby we particularly focus on assumptions related to the (i) availability of information about the environment and the (ii) principal's and agent's cognitive capabilities (with a particular focus on their learning capabilities and their memory). Our analysis focuses on how close and how fast the incentive scheme, which endogenously emerges from the agent-based model, converges to the solution proposed by the standard hidden-action model. Also, we investigate whether a stable solution can emerge from the agent-based model variant. The results show that in stable environments the emergent result can nearly reach the solution proposed by the standard hidden-action model. Surprisingly, the results indicate that turbulence in the environment leads to stability in earlier time periods.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Reinwald & Stephan Leitner & Friederike Wall, 2020. "An Agent-Based Model of Delegation Relationships With Hidden-Action: On the Effects of Heterogeneous Memory on Performance," Papers 2009.07124, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2009.07124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephan Leitner & Friederike Wall, 2021. "Decision-facilitating information in hidden-action setups: an agent-based approach," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer;Society for Economic Science with Heterogeneous Interacting Agents, vol. 16(2), pages 323-358, April.
    2. Omar A. Guerrero & Robert L. Axtell, 2011. "Using Agentization for Exploring Firm and Labor Dynamics," Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, in: Sjoukje Osinga & Gert Jan Hofstede & Tim Verwaart (ed.), Emergent Results of Artificial Economics, pages 139-150, Springer.
    3. Robert Axtell, 2007. "What economic agents do: How cognition and interaction lead to emergence and complexity," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 20(2), pages 105-122, September.
    4. Bengt Holmstrom, 1979. "Moral Hazard and Observability," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 10(1), pages 74-91, Spring.
    5. K. J. Arrow, 1964. "The Role of Securities in the Optimal Allocation of Risk-bearing," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 31(2), pages 91-96.
    6. S. Leitner & D.A. Behrens, 2015. "On the efficiency of hurdle rate-based coordination mechanisms," Mathematical and Computer Modelling of Dynamical Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(5), pages 413-431, September.
    7. Lambert, Richard A., 2001. "Contracting theory and accounting," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(1-3), pages 3-87, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leitner, Stephan & Wall, Friederike, 2022. "Micro-level dynamics in hidden action situations with limited information," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 372-393.
    2. Patrick Reinwald & Stephan Leitner & Friederike Wall, 2021. "Effects of limited and heterogeneous memory in hidden-action situations," Papers 2105.12469, arXiv.org.

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