Layoffs as Part of an Optimal Incentive Mix: Theory and Evidence

Anders Frederiksen () and Elod Takats

No 2447, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Firms offer highly complex contracts to their employees. These contracts contain a mix of incentives, such as fixed wages, bonus payments, promotion options, and layoff threats. In general, economists understand how incentives motivate employees but not why a particular mix should be used. In this paper we present a model in which the observed incentive mix is an optimal contract. In particular, we show that it can be optimal for firms to combine cost-efficient incentives such as promotions and bonuses with layoffs. The intuition is that layoffs play a dual role. First, they create incentives for the employees. Second, they contribute to sorting and selection. In the empirical part of the paper we test the model’s basic assumption about employee sorting and selection together with its broader predictions about employee careers. Using personnel records from a large international pharmaceutical company, we find that the model’s predictions are consistent with the data.

Keywords: personnel economics; incentive mix; layoffs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J30 J41 M50 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2006-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published as 'Promotions, Dismissals and Employee Selection: Theory and Evidence' in: Journal of Law, Economics and Organization, 2011, 27(1), 159-179

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Related works:
Working Paper: Layoffs as Part of an Optimal Incentive Mix: Theory and Evidence (2006)
Working Paper: Layoffs as Part of an Optimal Incentive Mix: Theory and Evidence (2005)
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