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Performance, Career Dynamics, and Span of Control

Author

Listed:
  • Valerie Smeets
  • Michael Waldman
  • Frederic Warzynski

Abstract

In this paper we focus on a classic idea concerning span of control, which is that a prime driver is the scale of operations effect. We extend the theory concerning the scale of operations effect by allowing firms’ beliefs concerning a manager’s ability to evolve over the manager’s career. We empirically investigate the resulting testable predictions using a unique single-firm data set that contains detailed information concerning the reporting relationships at the firm. Our empirical analysis supports the notion that the scale of operations effect and learning are both important determinants of a firm’s span of control.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie Smeets & Michael Waldman & Frederic Warzynski, 2019. "Performance, Career Dynamics, and Span of Control," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(4), pages 1183-1213.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/703147
    DOI: 10.1086/703147
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    Cited by:

    1. Edward P. Lazear & Kathryn L. Shaw & Christopher T. Stanton, 2015. "The Value of Bosses," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 33(4), pages 823-861.
    2. Lazear, Edward P. & Shaw, Kathryn L., 2014. "The value of bosses," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 60611, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Jed DeVaro & Oliver Gürtler, 2020. "Strategic shirking in competitive labor markets: A general model of multi‐task promotion tournaments with employer learning," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 335-376, April.
    4. Jin, Xin, 2014. "Flattening Firms and Wage Distribution," MPRA Paper 58485, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Florian Englmaier & Jose E. Galdon-Sanchez & Ricard Gil & Michael Kaiser & Helene Strandt, 2025. "Management Practices and Firm Performance During the Great Recession," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 548, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    6. Belloc, Filippo & Dughera, Stefano & Landini, Fabio, 2025. "Incentive pay, managerial skills and span of control," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    7. Xin Jin, 2014. "Flattening Firms and Wage Distribution," Working Papers 0414, University of South Florida, Department of Economics.
    8. Auriol, Emmanuelle & Friebel, Guido & von Bieberstein, Frauke, 2016. "The firm as the locus of social comparisons: Standard promotion practices versus up-or-out," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 41-59.
    9. Guido Friebel & Matthias Heinz & Nikolay Zubanov, 2022. "Middle Managers, Personnel Turnover, and Performance: A Long‐Term Field Experiment in a Retail Chain," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(1), pages 211-229, January.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • M5 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics

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