Occupational Choice and Dynamic Incentives

Maitreesh Ghatak, Massimo Morelli () and Tomas Sjostrom

The Review of Economic Studies, 2001, vol. 68, issue 4, 781-810

Abstract: We study an overlapping generations version of the principal-agent problem, where incentive contracts are determined in general equilibrium. All individuals are workers when young, but have a choice between becoming entrepreneurs or remaining workers when old. Imperfections in the credit market give rise to rents in entrepreneurial activities involving capital. These rents motivate poor young agents to work hard and save to overcome the borrowing constraints. With a labour market that is subject to moral hazard, the increased effort raises social welfare. Policies that reduce credit market imperfections, or redistribute income, may reduce welfare by dampening this effect.

Date: 2001
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oup:restud:v:68:y:2001:i:4:p:781-810.

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