Aggregate Consequences of Limited Contract Enforceability

40 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2004

See all articles by Thomas F. Cooley

Thomas F. Cooley

New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Ramon Marimon

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Centre de Recerca en Economia Internacional (CREI); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Vincenzo Quadrini

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business - Finance and Business Economics Department; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 2004

Abstract

We study a general equilibrium model in which entrepreneurs finance investment with optimal financial contracts. Because of enforceability problems, contracts are constrained efficient. We show that limited enforceability amplifies the impact of technological innovations on aggregate output. More generally, we show that lower enforceability of contracts will be associated with greater aggregate volatility. A key assumption for this result is that defaulting entrepreneurs are not excluded from the market.

JEL Classification: E30

Suggested Citation

Cooley, Thomas F. and Marimon, Ramon and Quadrini, Vincenzo, Aggregate Consequences of Limited Contract Enforceability (January 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=490381

Thomas F. Cooley

New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business ( email )

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Ramon Marimon (Contact Author)

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Centre de Recerca en Economia Internacional (CREI) ( email )

Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27
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Spain
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+34 93 542 1746 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.econ.upf.es/crei/people/marimon/

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Vincenzo Quadrini

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business - Finance and Business Economics Department ( email )

Marshall School of Business
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

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