Information Asymmetry

What is Information Asymmetry?

Information asymmetry refers to the situation in which one party in a transaction has access to more or better information than the other party. This can lead to an imbalance of power and influence, as the party with more information may be able to make more informed decisions or take advantage of the other party.

There are several sources of information asymmetry, including:

1. Information availability: One party may have access to information that is not available to the other party.
2. Information quality: The quality of the information available to one party may be higher than the quality of the information available to the other party.
3. Information processing: One party may have the ability to process and analyze information more effectively than the other party.

Information asymmetry can have significant impacts on markets and economic transactions. For example, it can lead to market inefficiencies and distortions, as well as problems such as moral hazard and adverse selection. Governments and regulatory agencies may attempt to address information asymmetry through disclosure requirements and other measures.

See Also

• Information