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Setting financial performance thresholds, targets and maximums in bonus plans

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 17:25 authored by Merchant, KA, Stringer, C, Shantapriyan, P
This study uses both archival and field evidence from one multidivisional firm to examine how the three commonly used financial performance standards used to calibrate short-term bonus payouts—thresholds, targets and maximums—are set. The setting of the standards results from complex negotiating processes. Consistent with prior research, we find that performance targets — the middle parameter — are set to be exceeded by most organizational entities. Contrary to some existing normative theory, actual performance is often outside the incentive zone, which is defined by the range between the maximum and threshold. The reasons for this include desires to raise managers’ aspiration levels, concerns about bonus payment affordability, and trade-offs in gaining manager commitment to the standards. Often the target is not in the middle of the incentive zone. We identify three additional factors that provide partial explanations of where and why these standards are set where they are: employee risk mitigation, desire for cross-entity equity, and manager operating style.

History

Publication title

Journal of Management Accounting Research

Volume

30

Pagination

55-73

ISSN

1049-2127

Department/School

TSBE

Publisher

American Accounting Association

Place of publication

United States

Rights statement

© 2018 American Accounting Association. All rights reserved.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Management

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