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On the collusive nature of managerial contracts based on comparative performance

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  • Delbono, Flavio
  • Lambertini, Luca

Abstract

We show that managerial delegation based upon comparative performance may generate collusive outcomes observationally equivalent to those typically associated with repeated games or cross ownership. This happens when rivals’ profits are positively weighted in the managerial incentive scheme. We also identify the level of time discounting at which a repeated game based upon Nash reversion would achieve the same degree of collusion. Accordingly, such managerial contracts should attract the attention of antitrust authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Delbono, Flavio & Lambertini, Luca, 2020. "On the collusive nature of managerial contracts based on comparative performance," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 12-18.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reecon:v:74:y:2020:i:1:p:12-18
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2019.11.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Ma, Jie & Wang, Leonard F.S. & Sun, Ji, 2022. "Cross Ownership, Loan Commitment, Managerial Delegation and the “Prisoner’s Dilemma”," MPRA Paper 115237, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 02 Nov 2022.
    2. Lee, Jen-Yao & Wang, Leonard F. S. & Sun, Ji, 2022. "Relative-performance delegation destabilizes upstream collusion," MPRA Paper 114939, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 12 Oct 2022.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Strategic delegation; Price competition; Quantity competition; Collusion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices

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