Distributions for the first-order approach to principal-agent problems

Summary. The first-order approach is a technical shortcut widely used in agency problems. The best known set of sufficient conditions for its validity are due to Mirrlees and Rogerson and require that the distribution function is convex in effort and has a likelihood ratio increasing in output. Only one nontrivial example was so far known to satisfy both properties. This note provides two rich families of examples displaying both properties. Received: December 4, 2000; revised version: December 10, 2001     

Non-commitment in performance evaluation and the problem of information distortions

Auditing is modeled in a sequential game without commitment. The manager must decide whether and where to audit a worker's output, taking into account all interim information he has obtained. The worker will work just hard enough (and show it) to divert the manager from making an audit or cover up, withholding information about his work to make an audit more difficult. This usually raises the costs of setting work incentives, so incentives are softened, sometimes drastically. Moreover, when a worker's on-the-job information is valuable for entrepreneurial decisions, work incentives must be softened to improve the internal flow of information.     

简析企业绩效考评环节的矛盾与对策

企业绩效考评中存在的诸多矛盾是人力资源管理者所共同面临的难题。本文采用矛盾的观点对以上现象进行了深入分析,并运用矛盾论的方法提出了相应的对策。     

Innovation and firm performance in Korea and China: a cross-context test of mainstream theories

We investigate the relationship between innovation and firm performance in two divergent emerging economy contexts: Korea and China. Mainstream innovation theories make disparate claims for how (1) intensity of innovation, (2) scope of innovation and (3) spillovers impact firm performance. Using a comparative institutionalist approach we hypothesise how these relationships apply to firms in Korea and China. Analysis of 897 firm–year data points over a 4-year period provides broad support for our hypotheses. Intensity of innovation (patent intensity) is a strong cross-contextual argument. Scope and spillover arguments appear to be more context-sensitive. Firms with innovation depth in specific technological fields enjoy better performance in Korea, while diversified innovation is more beneficial for firms in China. Spillovers have a stronger impact in Korea than China. The findings underline the importance of incorporating change in institutional context when developing policy and theory relating to firm innovation and performance in emerging economies.     

生态文明建设绩效的“二维”评价模型构建

通过分析生态文明建设绩效的内涵,从建设过程和结果两方面构建生态文明建设绩效“二维”评价模型,提出生态文明建设绩效测定应由两个分指数差距指数和进步指数复合成生态文明建设综合指数进行,以建立生态文明建设全过程的绩效考核体系,使得考核工作能在真正意义上持续推动生态文明建设。     

Relative Performance Evaluations in a Model of Financial Intermediation

This paper focuses on the delegation by bank managers of lending decisions to their agents, typically subordinate employees of the bank. We assume that agents may base their decisions about lending to borrowers on decisions other banks have made about these same borrowers. Then we show that there exist some lazy or negligent agents who neither directly monitor the borrower nor imitate the other banks if managers use relative performance evaluations as incentive schemes. In addition, it is shown that the learning or adjustment process of agents exhibits cyclical dynamics. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D82, D83.     

Competitive strategies,innovation, and firm performance: an empirical study in a developing economy environment

This paper studies the relationships between competitive strategies, innovation, and firm performance within the context of Turkish manufacturing companies. The data were collected from top management of the firms via Computer Assistant Telephone Interviewing method. One hundred and forty manufacturing firms operating in various sectors including textile, automotive supply, computer and electronics provide the basis for this empirical research. In order to test our model, we employ structural equation modelling using partial least squares. The results show that competitive strategies such as cost-leadership and differentiation can lead to innovation, which, in turn, increase firm performance. Managers implement cost-leadership and differentiation strategies to take part in competitive market conditions; however, they should put additional importance on innovation that plays a significant role as a bridge between competitive strategies and firm performance.     

浅谈地勘单位改制下的企业负责人绩效考核体系改进

地勘单位原属国家事业性质的单位,各有一套考核模式和考核办法。在地勘单位改制的大背景下,如何结合地勘单位目前的企业性质和工作实际对地勘单位企业负责人进行科学的考核,是当前许多地勘单位面临的重要课题。而运用平衡计分卡、目标管理法的相关知识,提出地勘单位企业负责人绩效考核的整体方案,建立绩效辅导与结果申诉体系、加强绩效考核结果应用等措施,对地勘单位建立和改进企业负责人绩效考核体系有重要的借鉴意义。