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EVA and the Controllability-congruence Trade-off: An Empirical Investigation

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  • François Larmande
  • Jean-Pierre Ponssard

Abstract

Incentives theory suggests that compensation schemes should be analyzed along two dimensions: controllability and congruence. Most schemes cannot satisfy both criteria at once. EVA bonus schemes, a major managerial innovation of the 90’s, favor the congruence criterion. This paper questions ist properties along the controllability dimension. The question is addressed through an in-depth case study: after three years in operation the actual bonuses paid by the system, as well as qualitative feedback from the managers involved, are analyzed. It is argued that EVA bonus schemes may have a major controllability problem.

Suggested Citation

  • François Larmande & Jean-Pierre Ponssard, 2004. "EVA and the Controllability-congruence Trade-off: An Empirical Investigation," CESifo Working Paper Series 1257, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_1257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Stephen Riceman & Steven Cahan & Mohan Lal, 2002. "Do managers perform better under EVA bonus schemes?," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 537-572.
    7. Bengt Holmstrom, 1979. "Moral Hazard and Observability," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 10(1), pages 74-91, Spring.
    8. Jeong-Yoo Kim & Insik Min & Christian Zimmermann, 2011. "The Economics of Citation," Korean Economic Review, Korean Economic Association, vol. 27, pages 93-114.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Olivier Saulpic & Jean-Pierre Ponssard, 2008. "Les systèmes de pilotage : une relecture critique inspirée des travaux de Simons," Post-Print halshs-00525975, HAL.
    2. Nicolas Berland & Jean-Pierre Ponssard & Olivier Saulpic, 2005. "Une typologie des systèmes de contrôle inspirée du cadre théorique de Simons," Working Papers hal-00243012, HAL.
    3. Franco Mariuzzo & Patrick Paul Walsh & Ciara Whelan, 2004. "EU Merger Control in Differentiated Product Industries," CESifo Working Paper Series 1312, CESifo.
    4. repec:dau:papers:123456789/3143 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Nicolas Berland & Jean-Pierre Ponssard & Olivier Saulpic, 2006. "Recurrent Attempts to Renovate Management ControlRevisited through a Simons' Perspective," Working Papers hal-00243033, HAL.
    6. repec:dau:papers:123456789/3053 is not listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    EVA management compensation; controllability-congruence trade-off; compensation standards;
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