📈Business Microeconomics Unit 10 – Asymmetric Info: Selection & Moral Hazard

Key Concepts

• Asymmetric information occurs when one party in a transaction has more or better information than the other party
• Adverse selection happens when there is asymmetric information before the transaction occurs
  • Leads to an imbalance of information that can skew the transaction in favor of the more informed party
• Moral hazard arises when there is asymmetric information after the transaction takes place
  • One party engages in risky behavior because they do not bear the full cost of that risk
• Market failure can result from asymmetric information because it leads to inefficient outcomes and a misallocation of resources
• Signaling is a strategy used by the informed party to communicate their quality or type to the uninformed party (education level on a job application)
• Screening is a strategy used by the uninformed party to gather information about the informed party and differentiate between different types (insurance company requiring a medical exam)

Asymmetric Information Basics

• Asymmetric information is a situation in which one party to a transaction has more or better information than the other party
• Leads to an imbalance of power in transactions which can cause market failures and inefficiencies
• Occurs in various markets such as insurance, labor, and used goods markets (used car market)
• Can lead to problems such as adverse selection and moral hazard
  • These issues arise because one party is unable to observe the actions or type of the other party
• George Akerlof's "The Market for Lemons" is a seminal paper that explores the consequences of asymmetric information
  • Uses the used car market to illustrate how asymmetric information can lead to market failure
• Asymmetric information is often characterized by hidden information (one party has private information) or hidden action (one party's actions are unobservable)

Adverse Selection

• Adverse selection occurs when there is asymmetric information before a transaction takes place
• Arises when the party with more information is more likely to enter into a transaction that is bad for the party with less information
• Classic example is the insurance market
  • High-risk individuals are more likely to purchase insurance, while low-risk individuals may opt-out
  • This leads to a pool of insured individuals that is riskier than the average population
• Can lead to market failure because the high-risk individuals drive up the average cost of insurance
  • Insurance companies may raise premiums or reduce coverage to compensate for the increased risk
  • This can cause low-risk individuals to drop out of the market, further exacerbating the problem
• Adverse selection can also occur in the labor market
  • High-quality workers may have difficulty signaling their quality to employers
  • This can lead to a pooling equilibrium where high and low-quality workers are paid the same wage

Moral Hazard

• Moral hazard occurs when there is asymmetric information after a transaction takes place
• Arises when one party engages in risky behavior because they do not bear the full cost of that risk
• Classic example is the insurance market
  • Insured individuals may take fewer precautions to avoid accidents or may file more claims because they are protected by insurance
  • This leads to higher costs for the insurance company, which may raise premiums for all policyholders
• Can also occur in the lending market
  • Borrowers may take on riskier projects because they are not fully liable for the potential losses
  • This can lead to higher default rates and increased costs for lenders
• Principal-agent problem is a type of moral hazard that arises when there is a conflict of interest between a principal (owner) and an agent (manager)
  • The agent may act in their own best interest rather than the best interest of the principal
• Moral hazard can be mitigated through monitoring, incentives, and contracts that align the interests of both parties

Market Implications

• Asymmetric information can lead to market failures and inefficiencies
• Adverse selection can cause high-risk individuals to be overrepresented in a market (insurance market)
  • This drives up costs and can lead to a breakdown of the market
• Moral hazard can lead to overuse of a product or service (health insurance leading to unnecessary medical treatments)
  • This increases costs and reduces the overall efficiency of the market
• Asymmetric information can lead to a misallocation of resources
  • High-quality goods may be driven out of the market by low-quality goods (used car market)
  • This reduces overall welfare and can lead to a market collapse
• Signaling and screening can help to mitigate the effects of asymmetric information
  • But these strategies can be costly and may not always be effective
• Government intervention may be necessary to correct market failures caused by asymmetric information (regulations, mandatory insurance, etc.)

Real-World Examples

• Insurance markets are prone to adverse selection and moral hazard
  • Individuals with pre-existing conditions are more likely to purchase health insurance
  • Insured drivers may take more risks because they are protected by car insurance
• The used car market suffers from the "lemons" problem
  • Sellers have more information about the quality of the car than buyers
  • This can lead to a market dominated by low-quality cars (lemons)
• The subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2008 was partly caused by moral hazard
  • Borrowers took on risky mortgages because they believed they could default without consequence
  • Lenders made risky loans because they could sell them off to investors and transfer the risk
• The principal-agent problem can be seen in corporate governance
  • Managers (agents) may prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability
  • This can lead to decisions that benefit the manager but harm the company and its shareholders (principals)

Strategies to Mitigate

• Signaling is a strategy used by the informed party to communicate their quality or type to the uninformed party
  • Education and job experience can signal the quality of a job candidate
  • Warranties can signal the quality of a product
• Screening is a strategy used by the uninformed party to gather information and differentiate between types
  • Employers may require aptitude tests or background checks to screen job candidates
  • Banks may require collateral or credit checks to screen loan applicants
• Incentive contracts can be used to align the interests of parties and reduce moral hazard
  • Performance-based pay can incentivize employees to work in the best interest of the company
  • Deductibles and copayments can incentivize insured individuals to take precautions and reduce unnecessary claims
• Monitoring and verification can be used to reduce information asymmetries
  • Insurance companies may require regular check-ups or home inspections
  • Lenders may require regular financial reports from borrowers
• Government regulations can help to mitigate market failures caused by asymmetric information
  • Mandatory insurance can help to solve the adverse selection problem
  • Disclosure requirements can help to reduce information asymmetries (financial disclosures for public companies)

Wrap-Up and Takeaways

• Asymmetric information is a common problem in many markets and can lead to adverse selection and moral hazard
• These issues arise when one party has more or better information than the other party
• Adverse selection occurs before a transaction and can lead to high-risk individuals being overrepresented in a market
• Moral hazard occurs after a transaction and can lead to risky behavior and overuse of a product or service
• Asymmetric information can cause market failures, inefficiencies, and a misallocation of resources
• Signaling, screening, incentive contracts, monitoring, and government regulations are strategies used to mitigate the effects of asymmetric information
• It is important for businesses and policymakers to recognize and address the problems caused by asymmetric information
  • Failure to do so can lead to market breakdowns and reduced social welfare
• Understanding the concepts of adverse selection and moral hazard is crucial for making informed decisions in various markets and settings