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Envelope Theorem without Differentiability

Author

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  • Yuntong Wang

    (Department of Economics, University of Windsor)

Abstract

We establish a new envelope theorem in which the choice variables are discrete and the objective function and the constraints are Lipschitz continuous with respect to the parameters. The parameters can be ?nite or in?nite dimensional vectors in a Banach space. In an application, we revisit the principal-agent problem and derive a weaker ?rst-order condition than the traditional one in the literature. In an insurance example, we use the condition to show an insurance contract that is discontinuous at some level of the loss.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuntong Wang, 2014. "Envelope Theorem without Differentiability," Working Papers 1404, University of Windsor, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wis:wpaper:1404
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Envelope theorem; Discrete choice set; Lipschitz continuity; Generalized gradients; Principal-agent problem.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis

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