Agency Theory Essay

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Agency Theory and Stakeholder Theory Background Neil A. Shankman wrote an article about the debate between agency and stakeholder theories. Shankman is a Technology Entrepreneur, Strategy and Management Consultant and was a Professor at Schulich School of Business. He specializes in strategic planning, business development, negotiation, recruitment, advertising and marketing. Shankman is also involved in innovation and application of mobile technology, quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis; risk management and start-up advisor. Theory Points Agency theory is the theory that concerns the relationship between a principal or shareholder and an agent for the principal or a company’s manager. This relationship happens when one or more individuals or principal hires one or more agents. Their duties are to perform a service and then delegate this decision making to the agents. These relationships are between the stockholders and managers as well as the debtholders and stockholders. This theory originated formally in the 1970’s and the basis is contractual. Examples would be property rights, contract law, organization economics and political philosophy. Scholars who were involved in the agency theory were Lock and Hobbes, Alchian, Demsetz, Jensen, Meckling and Ross. Stakeholder theory is the theory of management and business ethical issues. There are several different interpretations of what stakeholder theory is including the relationship between an individual or group that have an interest or are affected by the corporation. Groups or individuals assume some portion of risk associated with the organization or company; or that the stakeholder’s relationship to the firm is primarily economical. Many stakeholders have formal, official or a contractual agreement with the firm or organization; and if you don't you are considered a

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