Question 1
Which of the following is an example of mechanism design?
◦ an employer pays all sales people a fixed salary
◦ welfare reform that limits the amount of time a person can collect benefits
◦ health insurance with zero co-pays
◦ reduced prices on bulk purchases
Question 2
In the labor market, contracts are often designed to include a variable salary component that is tied to some measure of performance. Why?
◦ Such contracts provide workers with the incentive to work hard.
◦ Most people are risk-loving and thus variability in their compensation leads to higher total utility.
◦ Labor unions demand a variable salary component.
◦ The variable component reduces wages paid by firms.