Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/46461 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 3172
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
In this laboratory experiment we study the use of strategic ignorance to delegate real authority within a firm. A worker can gather information on investment projects, while a manager makes the implementation decision. The manager can monitor the worker. This allows her to better exploit the information gathered by the worker, but also reduces the worker's incentives to gather information in the first place. Both effects of monitoring are influenced by the interest alignment between manager and worker. Our data confirms the theoretical predictions that optimal monitoring depends non-monotonically on the level of interest alignment. We also find evidence for hidden costs of control and preferences for control, but these have no substantial effects on organizational outcomes.
Subjects: 
delegation
real authority
strategic ignorance
JEL: 
D20
D40
D63
D82
J30
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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