Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0 Series: Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers Creation-Date: 2006-06-19 Number: 06-054/1 Author-Name: Silvia Dominguez Martinez Author-Email: S.DominguezMartinez@uva.nl Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Amsterdam Author-Name: Otto H. Swank Author-Email: bvisser@few.eur.nl Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam Author-Name: Bauke Visser Author-Workplace-Name: Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam Title: Disciplining and Screening Top Executives Abstract: Boards of directors face the twin task of disciplining and screening executives. To perform these tasks directors do not have detailed information about executives' behaviour, and only infrequently have information about the success or failure of initiated strategies, reorganizations, mergers etc. We analyse the nature of (implicit) retention contracts boards use to discipline and screen executives. Consistent with empirical observation, we find that executives may become overly active to show their credentials; that the link between bad performance and dismissal is weak; and that boards occasionally dismiss competent executives. Classification-JEL: G30; G34 Keywords: board of directors; turnover; retention contracts; selection; moral hazard; empire building File-Url: https://papers.tinbergen.nl/06054.pdf File-Format: application/pdf File-Size: 373219 bytes Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20060054