Agency conflicts and short- versus long-termism in corporate policies

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Financial Economics
Year: 2020
Volume: 136
Issue: 3
Pages: 718-742

Authors (3)

Gryglewicz, Sebastian (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam) Mayer, Simon (not in RePEc) Morellec, Erwan (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We build a dynamic agency model in which the agent controls both current earnings via short-term investment and firm growth via long-term investment. Under the optimal contract, agency conflicts can induce short- and long-term investment levels beyond first best, leading to short- or long-termism in corporate policies. The paper analytically shows how firm characteristics shape the optimal contract and the horizon of corporate policies, thereby generating a number of novel empirical predictions on the optimality of short- versus long-termism. It also demonstrates that combining short- and long-term agency conflicts naturally leads to asymmetric pay-for-performance in managerial contracts.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jfinec:v:136:y:2020:i:3:p:718-742
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25