When Does Coordination Require Centralization?

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2008
Volume: 98
Issue: 1
Pages: 145-79

Authors (3)

Ricardo Alonso (London School of Economics (LS...) Wouter Dessein (not in RePEc) Niko Matouschek (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

This paper compares centralized and decentralized coordination when managers are privately informed and communicate strategically. We consider a multidivisional organization in which decisions must be adapted to local conditions but also coordinated with each other. Information about local conditions is dispersed and held by self-interested division managers who communicate via cheap talk. The only available formal mechanism is the allocation of decision rights. We show that a higher need for coordination improves horizontal communication but worsens vertical communication. As a result, decentralization can dominate centralization even when coordination is extremely important relative to adaptation. (JEL D23, D83, L23, M11)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:98:y:2008:i:1:p:145-79
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-24