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Journal of Banking & Finance Vol. 122 2021

The impact of labor mobility restrictions on managerial actions: Evidence from the mutual fund industry

Gjergji Cici1; Mario Hendriock2; Alexander Kempf2

1 University of Kansas · 2 University of Cologne

Abstract

We examine how labor mobility restrictions in the form of non-compete clauses in employment contracts affect employee behavior. Using the mutual fund industry as testing laboratory, we show that fund managers respond to higher job termination costs due to increased enforceability of non-compete clauses by increasing their contribution to their employer's revenue. They do so by improving their fund performance, while also increasing window dressing to attract new customers and increase fee revenue. Furthermore, the change in incentives disciplines managers’ risk taking, as shown by noticeable reductions in their portfolio risk, portfolio deviations from peers, and engagement in fund tournaments.

DOI
10.1016/j.jbankfin.2020.105994
Volume
122
Pages
105994
Language
en
Sources
crossref openalex bibtex:phds-export.bib

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