Delegation Versus an Approval Process and the Demand for Talent

Posted: 21 Jul 2006

See all articles by Anthony M. Marino

Anthony M. Marino

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business

Abstract

In many organizations, a principal uses simple decision rules or decision processes, as opposed to complete contingent monetary contracts, to regulate a more informed agent's behavior. This paper models two such rules: delegation and an approval process. We determine the principal's preferable rule under different conditions and characterize the optimal demand for talent. In addition, we describe the agent's expected welfare under these rules and characterize how different talent might sort into the rules. If the decision process is not a choice or if the principal chooses approval for private gain, the demand for talent can be tied to the magnitude of loss in the worst state, rather than the degree of discretion given to the manager. However, if the principal has discretion over the decision process and proper incentives, then more talent is demanded under delegation.

Keywords: Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior

JEL Classification: L2

Suggested Citation

Marino, Anthony M., Delegation Versus an Approval Process and the Demand for Talent. International Journal of Industrial Organization, Forthcoming, Marshall School of Business Working Paper No. FBE 08.06, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=918517

Anthony M. Marino (Contact Author)

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business ( email )

Dept. of Finance & Business Economics
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States
213-740-6525 (Phone)
213-740-6650 (Fax)

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
674
PlumX Metrics