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On the valuation and incentive effects of executive cash bonus contracts

Author

Listed:
  • Lionel Martellini
  • Branko Urosevic

Abstract

Executive compensation packages are often valued in an inconsistent manner: while employee stock options (ESOs) are typically valued ex-ante, cash bonuses are valued ex-post. This renders the existing valuation models of employee compensation packages theoretically unsatisfactory and, potentially, empirically distortive. In this paper, we propose an option-based framework for ex-ante valuation of cash bonus contracts. After obtaining closed-form expressions for ex-ante values of several frequently used types of bonus contracts, we utilize them to explore the e¤ects that the shape of a bonus contract has on the executive’s attitude toward risk-taking. We, also, study pay-performance sensitivity of such contracts. We show that the terms of a bonus contract can dramatically impact both risk-taking behavior as well as pay-performance incentives. Several testable predictions are made, and venues of future research outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Lionel Martellini & Branko Urosevic, 2003. "On the valuation and incentive effects of executive cash bonus contracts," Economics Working Papers 784, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
    • Handle: RePEc:upf:upfgen:784
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Holden, Craig W. & Kim, Daniel S., 2017. "Performance share plans: Valuation and empirical tests," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 99-125.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Executive compensation; cash bonus; incentives; risk-taking behavior;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing

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