Tournaments with multi-tasking

Abstract

The standard contest model in which participants compete in a single dimension is well understood and documented. In this paper we propose an extension in which competition ensues in several dimensions and a competitor that wins a certain number of these is awarded a prize. We look at the design of this contest from the point of view of maximizing effort in the contest (per dimension and totally), and reducing the cost to the designer of providing effort incentives. The standard Tullock model and its results are encompassed by our framework.