Contract Theory and Strategic Management: Expectations and Actions

1 Pages Posted: 30 Jun 2004

See all articles by Shyam Sunder

Shyam Sunder

Yale University - School of Management; Yale University - Cowles Foundation

Date Written: February 23, 2004

Abstract

Business firms as well as each of their subunits can be thought of as a set of contracts in which participating agents seek their own goals. Participants contribute resources, expecting to receive in exchange more than the opportunity cost of their contributions. For this system to work, the expectations of each individual must be in balance with what he/she is expected to contribute. In addition, the production technology of the firm must be capable of fulfilling such expectations in aggregate. Changes in factor and product markets continually alter the expectations and actions of individuals, nudge them out of balance, and threaten the feasibility of the contract set. A strategic manager scans the relevant markets for incipient changes in environment, and redesigns and implements new contracts which balance the self-interest of individuals with their changing expectations. Redesign and renegotiation of contracts is complicated because people protect their self-interest. Many firms collapse when the managers fail to recognize and act upon the changes in business environment in a timely fashion. Some redesign efforts fail because managers do not elicit the cooperation of those who have the necessary knowledge and expertise and expect to be adversely affected by the proposed changes. The contract model of the firm provides a framework and perspective to reduce such failures.

Keywords: Contract Theory of the firm, Strategic management, reengineering, organizations

JEL Classification: D23, J53, M14, M54

Suggested Citation

Sunder, Shyam, Contract Theory and Strategic Management: Expectations and Actions (February 23, 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=555522 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.555522

Shyam Sunder (Contact Author)

Yale University - School of Management ( email )

165 Whitney Avenue
P.O. Box 208200
New Haven, CT 06520-8200
United States
203-432-6160 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.som.yale.edu/faculty/sunder/

Yale University - Cowles Foundation ( email )

Box 208281
New Haven, CT 06520-8281
United States