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The impact of family control on the top management compensation mix and incentive orientation

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  • Chen, Chao-Jung
  • Hsu, Chung-Yuan
  • Chen, Yu-Lin

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the central agency problem on the top management compensation mix and incentive orientation in family-controlled firms. Our empirical evidence demonstrates that family-controlled firms offer a lower proportion of variable compensation to total compensation to their top management than non-family firms. Additionally, family-controlled firms with central agency problems provide their top management with higher proportions of cash compensation in their compensation packages than do family-controlled firms without central agency problems in non-electronic industries. This research provides new insights into how family-controlled firms utilize compensation mix and the temporal orientation of incentives to deal with agency problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Chao-Jung & Hsu, Chung-Yuan & Chen, Yu-Lin, 2014. "The impact of family control on the top management compensation mix and incentive orientation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 29-46.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:32:y:2014:i:c:p:29-46
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2014.01.005
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Dello Sbarba & Alessandro Marelli, 2018. "Family-controlled businesses and management control: the framing of “shareholder-oriented” practices," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 417-456, February.
    2. Damiani, Mirella & Ricci, Andrea, 2015. "Gender earnings differentials and pay structure of Italian family managers," MPRA Paper 61429, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. del Carmen Briano-Turrent, Guadalupe & Poletti-Hughes, Jannine, 2017. "Corporate governance compliance of family and non-family listed firms in emerging markets: Evidence from Latin America," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 8(4), pages 237-247.
    4. Chi, Ching Wen & Hung, Ken & Cheng, Hui Wen & Tien Lieu, Pang, 2015. "Family firms and earnings management in Taiwan: Influence of corporate governance," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 88-98.
    5. Choe, Chongwoo & Lien, Donald & Yu, Chia-Feng (Jeffrey), 2015. "Optimal managerial hedging and contracting with self-esteem concerns," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 354-367.
    6. Manika Kohli, 2018. "Impact of Ownership Type and Board Characteristics on the Pay–Performance Relationship: Evidence from India," Indian Journal of Corporate Governance, , vol. 11(1), pages 1-34, June.
    7. Min-Lee Chan & Cho-Min Lin & Huan-Min You, 2022. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Value of Cash Holdings in Taiwan: The Role of Family Firms," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 12(4), pages 1-3.
    8. Lakhwinder Singh Kang & Payal, 2018. "Managerial Remuneration in India: Analysing Trends before and during the Economic Slowdown," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 43(3), pages 156-168, August.
    9. Alhashel, Bader S. & Albader, Sulaiman H., 2020. "How do sovereign wealth funds pay their portfolio companies’ executives? Evidence from Kuwait," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 303-322.
    10. Anam Tasawar, 2017. "Corporate monitoring mechanism and corporate governance influence CEO compensation level: Evidence from non-financial firms of Pakistan," Proceedings of Economics and Finance Conferences 4807442, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences.
    11. Wang, Kun Tracy & Shailer, Greg, 2017. "Family ownership and financial performance relations in emerging markets," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 82-98.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Traditional agency problem; Central agency problem; Family control; Top management compensation mix; Incentive orientation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods

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