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Complementarity of Performance Pay and Task Allocation

Author

Listed:
  • Bryan Hong

    (New York University (NYU) - Leonard N. Stern School of Business)

  • Lorenz Kueng

    (University of Lugano - Faculty of Economics; Swiss Finance Institute; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management)

  • Mu-Jeung Yang

    (University of Washington - Department of Economics)

Abstract

Complementarity between performance pay and other organizational design elements has been argued to be one potential explanation for stark differences in the observed productivity gains from performance pay adoption. Using detailed data on internal organization for a nationally representative sample of firms, we empirically test for the existence of complementarity between performance pay incentives and decentralization of decision-making authority for tasks. To address endogeneity concerns, we exploit regional variation in income tax progressivity as an instrument for the adoption of performance pay. We find systematic evidence of complementarity between performance pay and decentralization of decision-making from principals to employees. However, adopting performance pay also leads to centralization of decision-making authority from non-managerial to managerial employees. The findings suggest that performance pay adoption leads to a concentration of decision-making control at the managerial employee level, as opposed to a general movement towards more decentralization throughout the organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Bryan Hong & Lorenz Kueng & Mu-Jeung Yang, 2020. "Complementarity of Performance Pay and Task Allocation," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 20-31, Swiss Finance Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp2031
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    2. Tomasz Obloj & Metin Sengul, 2020. "What do multiple objectives really mean for performance? Empirical evidence from the French manufacturing sector," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(13), pages 2518-2547, December.
    3. Balbuzanov, Ivan & Gars, Jared & Stalinski, Mateusz & Tjernstrom, Emilia, 2025. "Incentivizing Engagement : Experimental Evidence on Journalist Performance Pay," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1570, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    4. Balbuzanov, Ivan & Gars, Jared & Stalinski, Mateusz & Tjernström, Emilia, 2025. "Incentivizing Engagement: Experimental Evidence on Journalist Performance Pay," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 763, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    5. van Triest, Sander & Williams, Christopher, 2024. "Following the chain of command? How managers balance benefits and risks in granting autonomy to employees," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 89-97.
    6. Tor Eriksson & Jaime Ortega, 2025. "Organizational structure and high-performance work practices," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 34(3), pages 502-530.
    7. Atkinson, Mariam K. & Saghafian, Soroush, 2019. "Who Should See the Patient? On Discretionary Patient-Provider Assignments in Hospitals," Working Paper Series rwp19-037, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    8. Camilleri, Adrian R. & Dankova, Katarina & Ortiz, Jose M. & Neelim, Ananta, 2023. "Increasing worker motivation using a reward scheme with probabilistic elements," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    9. Jay Dixon & Bryan Hong & Lynn Wu, 2021. "The Robot Revolution: Managerial and Employment Consequences for Firms," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 67(9), pages 5586-5605, September.
    10. Asuyama, Yoko, 2020. "Delegation to workers across countries and industries: Interacting effects of social capital and coordination needs," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    11. Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Chiappetta Jabbour, Charbel Jose & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Latan, Hengky, 2022. "‘Better together’: Evidence on the joint adoption of circular economy and industry 4.0 technologies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • G29 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Other
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • M1 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration
    • M5 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics

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