We build a dynamic agency model in which the agent controls both current earnings via short-term investment and firm growth via long-term investment. Under the optimal contract, agency conflicts can induce short- and long-term investment levels beyond first best, leading to short- or long-termism in corporate policies. The paper analytically shows how firm characteristics shape the optimal contract and the horizon of corporate policies, thereby generating a number of novel empirical predictions on the optimality of shortversus long-termism. It also demonstrates that combining short- and long-term agency conflicts naturally leads to asymmetric pay-for-performance in managerial contracts.

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hdl.handle.net/1765/118825
Journal of Financial Economics
Department of Business Economics

Gryglewicz, S., Mayer, S, & Morellec, E. (2019). Agency Conflicts and Short- versus Long-Termism in Corporate Policies. Journal of Financial Economics, accepted. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/118825