pisco_log
banner

Incentive Pay Schemes: Navigating the Principal-Agent Dilemma for Optimal Firm Performance

Chulin Mai*

Abstract


This paper examines the challenges of designing incentive pay schemes to mitigate the Principal-Agent problem, focusing on the
balance between aligning interests and managing information asymmetries. It discusses the potential of such schemes to boost productivity
and efficiency but also warns of the consequences of misaligned incentives. Using McDonalds as a case study, the paper explores successful
incentive models and contrasts them with common pitfalls in both corporate and everyday settings. The abstract concludes by underscoring
the need for careful incentive design to achieve optimal firm performance.

Keywords


Incentive Pay Schemes; Principal-Agent Problem; Performance; Incentives Alignment

Full Text:

PDF

Included Database


References


[1] Bebchuk, L. A. and Fried, J. (2003) Executive Compensation as an Agency Problem, Journal of Economic Perspectives, pp. 7192.

[2] Berle, A. and Means, G. (1932) The modern corporation and private property. 1st edn. New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.A: Transaction

Publishers.

[3] Bryson, A., Freeman, R., Lucifora, C., Pellizzari, M., and Perotin, V. (2012) Paying For Performance: Incentive Pay Schemes and

Employees Financial Participation, CEP Discussion Paper, No 1112, Jan 2012, ISSN 2042-2695

[4] Fisher, J. (2008) How to Run Successful Employee Incentive Schemes: Creating Effective Programmes for Improved Performance.

United Kingdom: Kogan Page Ltd.

[5] Gardner, R. (1994) Games for business and economics. United States: John Wiley and Sons (WIE).

[6] Gibbons, R. (1998) Incentives in Organizations, Vol 12(4), pp. 115132.

[7] Heskett, J. (2007) How Should Pay Be Linked to Performance?. Available at: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5703.html.

[8] Holden, R. (2005) The Original Management Incentive Schemes, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 19(4), pp. 135144. doi:

10.1257/089533005775196688.

[9] Jensen, M. and Murphy, K. (1990) Performance Pay and Top Management Incentives, Journal of Political Economy, 98(2), pp. 225

264. doi: 10.1086/261677.

[10] McDonalds Pay & Rewards: AboutMcDonalds.com. Available at: http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/corporate_careers/benefits/

highlights_of_what_we_offer/pay_and_rewards.html

[11] Milgrom, P. and Roberts, J. (1992) The Economics, Organization and Management. 1st edn. United States: Prentice-Hall.

[12] Murphy, K. (1999) Executive Compensation, SSRN Electronic Journal, 3, pp. 24852563. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.163914.

[13] Nielsen, R. (2013) Wrong Kind Of Incentives. Wrong Kind Of Incentives. Available at: http://robertnielsen21.wordpress.

com/2013/06/18/wrong-kind-of-incentives/.

[14] Pratt, J. and Zeckhauser, R. (1991) Principals and Agents: Structure of Business. United States: Boston, Mass. : Harvard Business

School Press, c1985.

[15] Prendergast, C. (1999) The Provision of Incentives in Firms, Journal of Economic Literature, 37(1), pp. 763. doi: 10.1257/jel.37.1.7.

[16] Williams, R. (2014) Why Setting Goals Can Do More Harm Than Good. Available at: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wiredsuccess/201409/why-setting-goals-can-do-more-harm-good.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.70711/memf.v2i4.5382

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.