Investments and the Holdup Problem in a Matching Market

Helmut Bester

Discussion Paper Series of SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems from Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich

Abstract: This paper studies investment incentives in the steady state of a dynamic bilateral matching market. Because of search frictions, both parties in a match are partially locked–in when they bargain over the joint surplus from their sunk investments. The associated holdup problem depends on market conditions and is more important for the long side of the market. In the case of investments in homogenous capital only the agents on the short side acquire ownership of capital. There is always underinvestment on both sides of the market. But when market frictions become negligible, the equilibrium investment levels tend towards the ?rst–best.

Keywords: Holdup Problem; Matching Market; Investments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-06
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Investments and the holdup problem in a matching market (2013)
Working Paper: Investments and the Holdup Problem in a Matching Market (2009)
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