Is Emulation Good for You? The Ups and Downs of Rivalry

Leonard, Daniel; Van Long, Ngo

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1144169

Download This Paper

Open PDF in Browser

Add Paper to My Library

Is Emulation Good for You? The Ups and Downs of Rivalry

CIRANO - Scientific Publications 2008s-02

36 Pages Posted: 11 Dec 2008

See all articles by Daniel Leonard

Daniel Leonard

Flinders University - School of Business Economics

Ngo Van Long

McGill University - Department of Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Date Written: January 1, 2008

Abstract

We model the emulation between two athletes whose goals are fixed by their coaches. The coaches in turn engage in a game of goal setting. We analyze the equilibriums of that game. For some range of parameter values, there are only mixed equilibriums, where one coach randomizes his goals while the other coach uses a pure strategy. We show that it is in an athletes interest to have a stronger rival. Both athletes can gain if there is not a big gap between their ability levels. A very big gap, however, result in poorer performance of both.

Keywords: Emulation, Goal Setting

JEL Classification: I20, D01, D02

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Leonard, Daniel and Van Long, Ngo, Is Emulation Good for You? The Ups and Downs of Rivalry (January 1, 2008). CIRANO - Scientific Publications 2008s-02, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1144169 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1144169