Login | Register

Strategic Interactions in Corporate Finance: A Game-Theoretic Model of the Principal-Agent Problem

Title:

Strategic Interactions in Corporate Finance: A Game-Theoretic Model of the Principal-Agent Problem

Li, Yi Lun (2026) Strategic Interactions in Corporate Finance: A Game-Theoretic Model of the Principal-Agent Problem. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

[thumbnail of Li_MA_S2026.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
Li_MA_S2026.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Spectrum Terms of Access.
1MB

Abstract

This study explores the principal-agent problem in corporate finance through a game-theoretic framework, analyzing strategic interactions among shareholders, creditors, and managers. I used a sequential game to model the problem by incorporating asymmetric information and economic environment factors. The model examines managerial incentives, risk-taking behavior, and compensation structures. The findings highlight the impact of incentive misalignment on corporate decision-making and propose an optimized hybrid compensation model. The results offer insights for corporate governance, suggesting strategies to balance the manager, the shareholder and the creditor’s interests, ultimately enhancing firm performance and financial stability.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Economics
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Li, Yi Lun
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Economics
Date:March 2026
Thesis Supervisor(s):Li, Ming
ID Code:997105
Deposited By: Yilun Li
Deposited On:29 Jun 2026 14:23
Last Modified:29 Jun 2026 14:23

References:

Chesney, Marc, Jacob Stromberg, Alexander F. Wagner, and Vincent Wolff. "Managerial Incentives and Risk-Taking in Financial Institutions: A Study of Asset Risk and Compensation Structures."
Chevalier and Ellison. 1995. “Risk Taking by Mutual Funds as a Response to Incentives.” The University of Chicago Press, December 1997.
Dimitris Margaritis, Maria Psillaki, Capital structure, equity ownership and firm performance, Journal of Banking & Finance, Volume 34, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 621-632, ISSN 0378-4266
Dogan, Ilgin, Zuo-Jun Max Shen, and Anil Aswani. 2023. "Estimating and Incentivizing Imperfect-Knowledge Agents with Hidden Rewards."
Edmans, Alex, and Xavier Gabaix. 2015. "Executive Compensation: A Modern Primer." NBER Working Paper No. 21131.
Gan, Jiarui, Minbiao Han, Jibang Wu, and Haifeng Xu. 2024. "Generalized Principal-Agency: Contracts, Information, Games and Beyond." arXiv preprint arXiv:2209.01146v2, February 15.
Garen, John E. "Executive Compensation and Principal-Agent Theory." Journal of PoliticalEconomy 102 ,no. 6 (December 1994):1175- 1199.
Harris, M., & Raviv, A. (1991). "The Theory of Capital Structure." The Journal of Finance, 46(1), 297-355
Hu, Kaitong, Zhenjie Ren, and Junjian Yang. "Principal-Agent Problem with Multiple Principals." Stochastics 95, no. 5 (2023): 878–905.
Hyland, David, Julian Gutierrez, and Michael Wooldridge. 2023. "Principal-Agent Boolean Games." arXiv preprint arXiv:2305.10334v1, May 17. https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10334.
Kavous Ardalan, Capital structure theory: Reconsidered, Research in International Business and Finance, Volume 39, Part B, 2017, Pages 696-710, ISSN 0275-5319
Mahzoon, Majid, Ali Shourideh, and Ariel Zetlin-Jones. 2023. "Indicator Choice in Pay-for-Performance." Carnegie Mellon University Working Paper, July 25.
Shah, Sunit N. 2014. The Principal-Agent Problem in Finance. Charlottesville, VA: CFA Institute Research Foundation. ISBN 978-1-934667-72-9.
Smith, Clifford W. "Stockholder, manager, and creditor interests: applications of agency theory." (1985).
Zhu Yunxuan Game theory model of corporate governance: Fitting real market environment . Research Square; 2023. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2401729/v2.
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top