Leases with purchase options and double moral hazard
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Journal of Business Finance and Accounting
Publication Date
11-1-2006
Volume
33
Issue
9-10
First Page
1390
Last Page
1401
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Keywords
eases with purchase options; double moral hazard
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explain why leases have a purchase option and how the exercise price of this option is determined. We follow Demski and Sappington's (1991) approach by using a double moral hazard setting. One limitation of their model is that the agent has unlimited liability. The agent has to have enough wealth and the obligation to buy the firm when the principal decides to exercise the put option. In our paper, this problem is resolved by using a call option, which is a feature of many lease contracts. We show that leases with a purchase option can completely resolve the double moral hazard problem even if all the variables in the model are unverifiable. It is the threat of being the residual claimant that induces the lessor to provide an efficient level of effort. On the other hand, it is the opportunity of being the residual claimant that induces the lessee to maintain the asset efficiently. Finally, the model predicts that certain leased assets are not properly accounted for under the current accounting standards for leasing.
DOI
10.1111/j.1468-5957.2006.00606.x
Print ISSN
0306686X
E-ISSN
14685957
Publisher Statement
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Chau, D. K. Y., Firth, M., & Srinidhi, B. (2006). Leases with purchase options and double moral hazard. Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, 33(9-10), 1390-1401. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-5957.2006.00606.x