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Economists win Nobel for contract theory Economists win Nobel for contract theory
(35 minutes later)
UK-born Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmstrom of Finland have won the Nobel Economics Prize for work on contract theory.UK-born Oliver Hart and Bengt Holmstrom of Finland have won the Nobel Economics Prize for work on contract theory.
Judges said their work laid "an intellectual foundation" for policies in areas such as bankruptcy legislation and political constitutions.Judges said their work laid "an intellectual foundation" for policies in areas such as bankruptcy legislation and political constitutions.
The pair will receive 8 million Swedish krona (£744,652) from the committee.The pair will receive 8 million Swedish krona (£744,652) from the committee.
Mr Hart, who was woken with the news at 4.40am, said his first reaction had been to hug his wife and wake his younger son.Mr Hart, who was woken with the news at 4.40am, said his first reaction had been to hug his wife and wake his younger son.
Mr Holmstrom said he felt "very lucky" and "grateful".Mr Holmstrom said he felt "very lucky" and "grateful".
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said that Mr Hart and Mr Holmstrom's work was "valuable to the understanding of real-life contracts and institutions".The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said that Mr Hart and Mr Holmstrom's work was "valuable to the understanding of real-life contracts and institutions".
It also said it could identify "potential pitfalls in contract design."It also said it could identify "potential pitfalls in contract design."
For example, contract theory can be used to assess performance-based pay for top executives, the academy said. It can also be used to find the best design for employee benefits. Working separately, the two created tools to help determine whether public sector workers should receive fixed salaries or performance-based pay, and whether providers of public services should be publicly or privately owned.
Mr Holmstrom in particular is known for his research into how contracts and incentives affect corporate behaviour.
The former Nokia board member declined to say whether he thought executive pay was too high these days, but commented: "My personal view is that [top executives' contracts] are too complicated today."
Competitive fieldCompetitive field
Mr Hart, born in 1948, is an economics professor at Harvard University in the US, while Mr Holmstrom is a professor of economics and management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr Holmstrom, aged 67, is a professor of economics and management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while Mr Hart, born in 1948, is an economics professor at Harvard University in the US.
The pair saw off competition from the World Bank's new chief economist Paul Romer, who was widely tipped to win.The pair saw off competition from the World Bank's new chief economist Paul Romer, who was widely tipped to win.
New York University's Stern Business School, where Prof Romer teaches, sparked controversy last Thursday when it accidently published a press release naming him as the winner.New York University's Stern Business School, where Prof Romer teaches, sparked controversy last Thursday when it accidently published a press release naming him as the winner.
It quickly took down the release, saying it was only preparing for a possible win.It quickly took down the release, saying it was only preparing for a possible win.
Others believed to be the running included Olivier Blanchard, a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, and Edward Lazear, a fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.Others believed to be the running included Olivier Blanchard, a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, and Edward Lazear, a fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.
American's dominateAmerican's dominate
The economics prize is the only Nobel not created by Alfred Nobel, and was instead launched in 1968, long after the philanthropist's death.The economics prize is the only Nobel not created by Alfred Nobel, and was instead launched in 1968, long after the philanthropist's death.
To date Americans have dominated the award, with 55 of the 76 laureates holding US citizenship, including those with dual nationalities.To date Americans have dominated the award, with 55 of the 76 laureates holding US citizenship, including those with dual nationalities.
Last year Scottish-born economist Angus Deaton won the prize for his use of data to investigate income inequality and inform economic policy.Last year Scottish-born economist Angus Deaton won the prize for his use of data to investigate income inequality and inform economic policy.
It is the fifth Nobel to be announced this year, after prizes for physiology or medicine, physics, chemistry and peace were awarded last week.It is the fifth Nobel to be announced this year, after prizes for physiology or medicine, physics, chemistry and peace were awarded last week.
The Nobel prize for literature will be awarded on Thursday.The Nobel prize for literature will be awarded on Thursday.