The Complete Information Optimal Contract:
First-Best Production Levels
To start with a simpler framework, let us first suppose that there is no asymmetry of information between the principal and the agent. By equating the principal's marginal value and the agent's marginal cost, we get the efficient solution levels. So, first-order conditions are
With complete information, efficient production levels - q* and q'should be both carried out if their social values, respectively and are non-negative. Since
by definition of θ and θ > θ', the social value of production when the agent is efficient, W*, is greater than when she is inefficient, namely, W* . The trade is carried out as long as production is socially valuable for the least efficient type,
As we enter into trade the fixed cost F does not have any role other than justiGing the existence of a single agent. You can set it to zero from now. In addition, since the principal's marginal value of output is decreasing, the optimal production of an efficient agent is greater than that of an inefficient agent. i.e.. q* > q'*.
.