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Optimal compensation contracts under asymmetric information concerning expected earnings

Author

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  • Anton Miglo

    (University of Guelph, Department of Economics.)

Abstract

We analyze a model with two-dimensional asymmetric information where the employer has better information about the firm's earnings potential and the employee is subject to moral hazard. The employee's contract consists of an annual bonus and stock options. We focus on two issues: how different degrees of asymmetric information about short-term earnings versus long-term earnings affect optimal contracts and second, if a signalling equilibrium exists, what information concerning the firm's performance profile over time can be conveyed by the choice of contract. We show that if the extent of long-term (short-term) asymmetric information is larger, short-term (long-term) compensation prevails. With regard to signalling, we show that firms offering more options have higher short-term performance and lower long-term performance. This provides new insights into the structure of earnings-based compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Anton Miglo, 2006. "Optimal compensation contracts under asymmetric information concerning expected earnings," Working Papers 0613, University of Guelph, Department of Economics and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:gue:guelph:2006-13
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Optimal compensation; Asymmetric information; Annual bonus; Stock options.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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