Volume2, No. 3, December 2003

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On Incentives for an Efficient Flow of Knowledge

within Multinationals

Amir Shoham

Department of Business Administration, Ben-Gurion University, Israel

and

Negev Academic College of Engineering, Israel

Varda Lewinstein Yaari and David M. Brock
Department of Business Administration, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
 

Abstract

   
In this paper we develop a principal-agent, game-theoretic model of an MNC, intended to add to the understanding of how smart choices between incentives, monitoring, and structures are linked to an effective intra-firm flow of knowledge. We find that the equilibrium depends on the efficiency of substituting incentives for monitoring. Our study sheds light on arguments within the international management field about monitoring, incentives for managers, and managing knowledge transfer between subsidiaries.
 

Key words: multinational; incentives; monitoring

JEL classification: F23; M10; M20