What Is the Agency Problem?
The agency problem is a conflict of interest that arises when one party, known as the agent, acts on behalf of another party, known as the principal. The agent has an incentive to act in their own best interests rather than those of the principal. This can lead to decisions being made which are not necessarily in line with what would be most beneficial for the principal.
For example, if a company hires an executive who is given stock options as part of their compensation package then there may be incentives for them to make decisions which benefit themselves more than they do the company and its shareholders. In this case it could mean taking risks or making investments which have higher potential rewards but also carry greater risk. If these risky investments fail then it will be at the expense of both shareholders and other stakeholders such as employees and customers. To mitigate against this type of behavior companies often put measures in place such as performance reviews or bonus structures linked directly to success metrics so that executives are incentivized to make decisions based on what is best for all parties involved rather than just themselves.
Common Methods Adopted to Avoid the Agency Problem
The agency problem is a conflict of interest between the principal and agent in an agency relationship. The principal, or owner, has certain goals that they want to achieve through the actions of their agent. However, the interests of the two parties may not always be aligned. To avoid this problem, there are several common methods adopted by companies:
First, firms can use incentive-based compensation plans for agents to ensure that their interests are aligned with those of the company’s owners. This could include stock options or bonuses based on performance metrics such as profits or return on investment (ROI). Additionally, boards of directors should have independent members who represent shareholders’ interests and monitor management decisions. Companies can also implement internal controls such as audits and reviews to ensure compliance with regulations and policies set forth by ownership. Finally, corporate governance structures should be established which clearly define roles and responsibilities within an organization so that everyone understands what is expected from them in terms of decision making authority and accountability for results achieved.
By implementing these measures companies can reduce potential conflicts between principals and agents while ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from any business transactions conducted by either party involved in an agency relationship.