Document Type
Discussion Paper
Publication Date
7-1-2016
CFDP Number
2046
CFDP Pages
67
Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Code(s)
D21, G30, G32, J31, J41
Abstract
Standard corporate finance theories assume the absence of strategic product market interactions or that shareholders don’t diversify across industry rivals; the optimal incentive contract features pay-for-performance relative to industry peers. Empirical evidence, by contrast, indicates managers are rewarded for rivals’ performance as well as for their own. We propose common ownership of natural competitors by the same investors as an explanation. We show theoretically and empirically that executives are paid less for own performance and more for rivals’ performance when the industry is more commonly owned. The growth of common ownership also helps explain the increase in CEO pay over the past decades.
Recommended Citation
Antón, Miguel; Ederer, Florian; Giné, Mireia; and Schmalz, Martin, "Common Ownership, Competition, and Top Management Incentives" (2016). Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers. 2570.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/cowles-discussion-paper-series/2570