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Wage Structure and the Incentive Effects of Promotions

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  • Marco Van Herpen
  • Kees Cools
  • Mirjam Van Praag

Abstract

This paper studies wage structure characteristics and their incentive effects within one firm. Based on personnel records and an employee survey, we provide evidence that wages are attached to jobs and that promotions play a dominant role as a wage determinant. We furthermore show that a promotion affects both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation significantly, though in two different ways: An expected promotion increases extrinsic motivation whereas intrinsic motivation is highest subsequent to a realized promotion. The relationship between extrinsic motivation and expected promotions implies that promotions have a clear incentive effect, consistent with a key – not yet tested – prediction of the tournament model.

Suggested Citation

  • Marco Van Herpen & Kees Cools & Mirjam Van Praag, 2006. "Wage Structure and the Incentive Effects of Promotions," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(3), pages 441-459, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:59:y:2006:i:3:p:441-459
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6435.2006.00341.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bingley, P. & Eriksson, T, 2001. "Pay Spread and Skewness. Employee Effort and Firm Productivity," Papers 01-2, Aarhus School of Business - Department of Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marco Herpen & Mirjam Praag & Kees Cools, 2005. "The Effects of Performance Measurement and Compensation on Motivation: An Empirical Study," De Economist, Springer, vol. 153(3), pages 303-329, September.
    2. Migheli, Matteo, 2019. "Competing for promotion: Are “THE BEST” always the best?," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(2), pages 149-161.
    3. Jiang, Kun & Wang, Susheng, 2022. "Internal labor markets with two types of promotion and two tiers of salary: theory and evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    4. Ottorino Chillemi & Stefano Galavotti & Benefetto Gui, 2017. "Inefficient Rationing With Post-Contractual Information," "Marco Fanno" Working Papers 0214, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche "Marco Fanno".
    5. Ting Ren, 2010. "Value Congruence as a Source of Intrinsic Motivation," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 94-109, February.
    6. Becchetti, Leonardo & Castriota, Stefano, 2010. "Wage differentials in social enterprises," AICCON Working Papers 68-2010, Associazione Italiana per la Cultura della Cooperazione e del Non Profit.
    7. Patrick Kampkoetter, 2012. "Determinants of Compensation in the Financial Services Industry," Cologne Graduate School Working Paper Series 03-12, Cologne Graduate School in Management, Economics and Social Sciences.
    8. Yannis Georgellis & Vurain Tabvuma, 2010. "Does Public Service Motivation Adapt?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(2), pages 176-191, May.
    9. Juho Jokinen & Jaakko Pehkonen, 2017. "Promotions and Earnings – Gender or Merit? Evidence from Longitudinal Personnel Data," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 306-334, September.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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