Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/86273 
Year of Publication: 
2005
Series/Report no.: 
Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. 05-058/1
Publisher: 
Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Abstract: 
We consider a hierarchical organization with two fully rational agents. The goal of the organization is that of selecting the best alternative out of several available, and agents are heterogenous in the accuracy with which they screen the alternatives. We show that, if internal communications between agents is not possible, the ordering of agents affects the performance of the organization. More specifically, we find that the expected payoff of the organization improves when the more accurate agent screens first. Finally, we note that such optimal ordering makes the hierarchy formally identical to one in which the internal communication flow is perfect.
Subjects: 
Organizations
Imperfect Communication
Selection
JEL: 
D23
D70
D81
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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