College of Business

This paper examines the long-run performance of firms before and after they adopt accounting-based performance plans. We test if the change in compensation policy is a response to a prior performance problem or is a signal to the market that firm performance will improve over current performance levels. Our findings are consistent with the signaling hypothesis. Stock prices increase at the announcement of the adoption of a performance plan apparently signaling previously private information regarding improved future performance. A related benefit of adoption may well be a better incentive-alignment contract for managers and shareholders but the strongest evidence points to a credible disclosure of future performance.