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Technology, Information, and the Decentralization of the Firm

Author

Listed:
  • D. Acemoglu
  • P. Aghion
  • C. Lelarge

    (RITM - Réseaux Innovation Territoires et Mondialisation - Université Paris-Saclay)

  • J. van Reenen
  • F. Zilibotti

Abstract

This paper develops a framework to analyze the relationship between the diffusion of new technologies and the decentralization decisions of firms. Centralized control relies on the information of the principal, which we equate with publicly available information. Decentralized control, on the other hand, delegates authority to a manager with superior information. However, the manager can use her informational advantage to make choices that are not in the best interest of the principal. As the available public information about the specific technology increases, the trade-off shifts in favour of centralization. We show that firms closer to the technological frontier, firms in more heterogeneous environments and younger firms are more likely to choose decentralization. Using three datasets of French and British firms in the 1990s, we report robust correlations consistent with these predictions.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • D. Acemoglu & P. Aghion & C. Lelarge & J. van Reenen & F. Zilibotti, 2007. "Technology, Information, and the Decentralization of the Firm," Post-Print hal-04196815, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04196815
    DOI: 10.1162/qjec.2007.122.4.1759
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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