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Managerial incentives, options, and cost-structure choices

Author

Listed:
  • David Aboody

    (UCLA)

  • Shai Levi

    (Tel Aviv University)

  • Dan Weiss

    (Tel Aviv University)

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between changes in managerial risk-taking incentives and adjustments of firms’ cost structures, particularly the operating leverage (fixed-to-variable cost ratio). We find managers reduce operating leverage by substituting fixed costs with variable costs, mainly in the selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) and research and development (R&D) cost components, in response to reductions in option-based compensation following the issuance of FAS 123R. Managers facing a decrease in risk-taking incentives adjust operating leverage downward because high operating leverage intensifies the downside potential of earnings. Overall, we present compelling evidence that managers adjust the cost structure of their firms in response to a reduction in risk-taking incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • David Aboody & Shai Levi & Dan Weiss, 2018. "Managerial incentives, options, and cost-structure choices," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 422-451, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:23:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s11142-017-9432-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-017-9432-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Wulung Li & Ramachandran Natarajan & Yan Zhao & Kenneth Zheng, 2021. "The effect of management control mechanisms through risk-taking incentives on asymmetric cost behavior," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 219-243, January.
    3. Michael Mayberry, 2020. "Good for managers, bad for society? Causal evidence on the association between risk‐taking incentives and corporate social responsibility," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(9-10), pages 1182-1214, October.
    4. Abdoh, Hussein & Liu, Yu, 2021. "Does R&D intensity matter in the executive risk incentives and firm risk relationship?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 13-24.
    5. Pan, Junyu & Cifuentes-Faura, Javier & Zhao, Xin & Liu, Xiaoqian, 2024. "Unlocking the impact of digital technology progress and entry dynamics on firm's total factor productivity in Chinese industries," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    6. Naoum, Vasilios-Christos & Ntounis, Dimitrios & Papanastasopoulos, Georgios & Vlismas, Orestes, 2023. "Asymmetric cost behavior: Theory, meta-analysis, and implications," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    7. Yin, Libo & Lu, Man, 2022. "Oil uncertainty and firms' risk-taking," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    8. Bouvard, Matthieu & de Motta, Adolfo, 2021. "Labor leverage, coordination failures, and aggregate risk," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(3), pages 1229-1252.
    9. Guillaume Bagnarosa & Mark Cummins & Michael Dowling & Fearghal Kearney, 2022. "Commodity risk in European dairy firms," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 49(1), pages 151-181.
    10. Zhu, Bo & Yuan, Menglin, 2022. "The business cycle and cost structure’s adjustment speed," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    11. Brisley, Neil & Cai, Jay & Nguyen, Tu, 2021. "Required CEO stock ownership: Consequences for risk-taking and compensation," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
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    13. Matthieu Bouvard & Adolfo de Motta, 2021. "Labor leverage, coordination failures, and aggregate risk," Post-Print hal-03524121, HAL.
    14. Zhu, Bo & Chen, Yuguo & Cheng, Jia-Chi, 2023. "Business cycle and cost structure," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    M41; M12; G31;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies

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