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Journal of Labor Economics Vol. 25 No. 3 2007

Organizational Form and the Market for Talent

Bård Harstad

Northwestern University

Abstract

This article brings together the market for products, the market for talent, and firms’ organizational form. While the organizational design determines the allocation of blame and fame within the firm, the value of a good reputation depends on the market structure. Consequently, the market structure dictates the optimal organizational design. If competition becomes tougher and the market thicker, transparent firms decentralize while nontransparent firms concentrate control, transparency itself is improved, corporations switch from unitary to multidivisional form, and the turnover of managers increases. The model rationalizes recent trends in both executive pay and organizational design.

DOI
10.1086/512745
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
581-611
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref

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