Dynamic resource allocation with hidden volatility

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Financial Economics
Year: 2021
Volume: 140
Issue: 2
Pages: 560-581

Authors (2)

Feng, Felix Zhiyu (not in RePEc) Westerfield, Mark M. (University of Washington)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We study a firm’s internal resource allocation using a dynamic principal-agent model with endogenous cash flow volatility. The principal supplies the agent with resources for productive use, but the agent has private control over both project volatility and resource intensity and may misallocate resources to obtain private benefits. The optimal contract can yield either overly risky or overly prudent project selection. It can be implemented with a constant pricing schedule (i.e., a static, decentralized, linear mechanism), giving the agent control over the resource quantities, project risk, and agent’s equity share. The implementation rationalizes the use of hurdle rates above a firm’s cost of capital and transfer prices above marginal cost, while showing that hurdle rates or transfer prices may not vary with the agent’s risk choice.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jfinec:v:140:y:2021:i:2:p:560-581
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29