Problems of agency costs in construction corporations

Abstract

The article reflects the results of research on the identification and delineation of the problem of agency costs in construction corporations of Ukraine from the standpoint of neo-institutional theory and its separate element - agency theory. The evolution of scientists' views on the emergence of the agency problem in corporations is analyzed. The main approaches to solving the agency problem are differentiated. The conditions for reducing agent opportunism and increasing the efficiency of corporate management are outlined. Ways to minimize the negative impact of the agency problem in the corporate governance system are analyzed. Attention is focused on the negative impact of information asymmetry between principals and agents. It was determined that the application of certain methods of minimizing agency costs in integration with other mechanisms is not always able to generate a net positive effect for the corporation, sometimes leading to an increase in the costs of their implementation and causing excessive regulation of the activities of agents. The probability of manipulation of the spectrum of financial reporting indicators with the help of accounting policy tools and creative practices is emphasized, which is a consequence of the generation of an agency problem between users of accounting and analytical information and the subjects of its formation. It has been proven that the combination of internal and external corporate management tools will contribute to mitigating the consequences of the agency problem, without providing a full solution to it, since a certain range of tools, methods and measures are optimal only for a specific corporation in a certain period of time. The procedure for implementing a range of mechanisms and methods for minimizing agency costs and consequences of the agency problem is recommended to be carried out taking into account existing practices, as well as the results of monitoring the economic and informational environment of the corporation, which will ultimately contribute to the formation of their optimal combination. The vectors of minimization of agency costs and the consequences of the agency problem in the management system of construction corporations from the accounting point of view are determined. A matrix classification of approaches to solving the consequences of the agency problem and minimizing agency costs in construction corporations has been formed. Based on the application of the provisions of the neo-institutional theory in order to minimize agency costs and the consequences of the agency problem, the priority directions for strengthening the effectiveness of corporate management in the context of improving the system of its accounting and analytical support are determined.