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A Note on Efficiency Wage Theory and Principal–Agent Theory

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  • Uwe Jirjahn

Abstract

Why are principal–agent models used in some circumstances and efficiency wage models in others? In this note, it is argued that efficiency wages provide incentives based on an evaluation of the agent's input, while the incentives analysed in principal–agent models rely on the agent's output. The choice between the two incentive schemes depends on the probability that the agent is caught shirking. Moreover, we demonstrate that a combination of input‐ and output‐related elements provides stronger incentives than payment schemes based on merely one of these elements. However, the combination requires a more complex labour contract involving an increased cost of writing the contract. The interaction between this transaction cost and a hiring cost is analysed.

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  • Uwe Jirjahn, 2006. "A Note on Efficiency Wage Theory and Principal–Agent Theory," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(3), pages 235-252, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:buecrs:v:58:y:2006:i:3:p:235-252
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0307-3378.2006.00239.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cornelissen, Thomas & Heywood, John S. & Jirjahn, Uwe, 2011. "Performance pay, risk attitudes and job satisfaction," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 229-239, April.
    2. Uwe Jirjahn, 2016. "Which employers regard the threat of dismissal as a suitable incentive to motivate workers?," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(9), pages 614-617, June.
    3. Daniel G. Arce, 2018. "On the cooperative and competitive aspects of strategic monitoring," Rationality and Society, , vol. 30(3), pages 377-390, August.

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