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Ability, Moral Hazard, Firm Size, and Diversification

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  • Debra J. Aron

Abstract

I develop a model of firm diversification into multiple product lines that is based on the agency problem between the firm's managers and owners. The agency relationship, together with a span-of-control managerial technology, determines an optimal firm size and degree of diversification that are increasing in the manager's ability and therefore positively correlated cross sectionally. I compare the benefits of merger with those achieved by using compensation contracts based on relative performance and show that, for a particular parameterization, the relative value of merger is a nonmonotonic function of the correlation between the productivity signals of the two firms.

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  • Debra J. Aron, 1988. "Ability, Moral Hazard, Firm Size, and Diversification," RAND Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 19(1), pages 72-87, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:rje:randje:v:19:y:1988:i:spring:p:72-87
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