According to the outside option principle the holdup problem can be lifted by structuring the post-investment bargaining stage in such a way that the non-investing party has a binding outside option. The investor then becomes residual claimant and has the appropriate incentives to invest. Theory...

We report results from an experiment based on a simplified version of Hart's (1995) property rights theory of the firm. Only one manager invests and this investment is completely specific. In that case the theory predicts that the level of investment is not affected by the level of no-trade...

The formation of social ties is examined in an experimental study of voluntary public good provision. The experimental design consists of three parts. In the first part the value orientation (attitude to a generalized other) is measured. In the second part couples play a multi-period public good...