Essays in Applied Microeconomic Theory

Abstract

In my dissertation, I analyze how policymakers can protect employees and consumers from being exploited by firms. In chapter 1, an employer undermines minimum wages by adding non-compete clauses to the workers' employment contracts, providing effort incentives by holding their workforce hostage. In chapter 2, a firm hides a part of the total price from the consumers by partitioning it. In chapter 3, a firm makes consumers addicted to its mobile game to sell them (initially unwanted) in-app purchases.