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Reputation Concerns in Risky Experimentation

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  • Chia-Hui Chen
  • Junichiro Ishida
  • Wing Suen

Abstract

We develop a general model, with the exponential bandit as a special case, in which high-ability agents are more likely to achieve early success but also learn faster that their project is not promising. These counteracting effects give rise to a signaling model in which the single-crossing condition fails but a double-crossing property holds. We characterize the unique D1 equilibrium under double-crossing condition, and show that it tends to produce pooling. Ability to identify good projects and ability to execute a good project have different implications for the equilibrium allocation. Our model also incorporates public news, which generates dynamic distortions.

Suggested Citation

  • Chia-Hui Chen & Junichiro Ishida & Wing Suen, 2019. "Reputation Concerns in Risky Experimentation," ISER Discussion Paper 1060, Institute of Social and Economic Research, The University of Osaka.
    • Handle: RePEc:dpr:wpaper:1060
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    References listed on IDEAS

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