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Bonuses and managerial misbehaviour

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  • Siegert, Caspar

Abstract

Profit-based bonus payments have been criticised for encouraging managers to take excessively risky actions or to engage in other activities that are not in the firm׳s best interest. We show, however, that large bonuses may discourage managers from such misbehaviour, because they have more to lose in the event that misbehaviour is detected. Thus, large bonuses may be an optimal way for firms to control misbehaviour. Our finding sheds new light on recent proposals to regulate bonuses.

Suggested Citation

  • Siegert, Caspar, 2014. "Bonuses and managerial misbehaviour," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 93-105.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:68:y:2014:i:c:p:93-105
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2014.02.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gietl, Daniel & Haufler, Andreas, 2018. "Bonus taxes and international competition for bank managers," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 41-60.

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