Question

An agency problem can occur when A. it is difficult or expensive for the owners to verify what the agent is actually doing. B. the owners and agents have different attitudes toward risk. C. the desires and objectives of the owners and agents conflict. D. executives do not select risky strategies because they fear losing their jobs if the strategy fails. E. all of the above.

Answer 1

The answer is E.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a public company, the directors are the agents of the company while the shareholders are the principals(owners) of the company. Because most times, shareholders doesn't have the needed skills and experience to run businesses, they employ director/management (agent) to run their businesses. Most times there is conflict of interest, for example, the managers might prefer a risky business while the shareholders might prefer less risky, this type of scenario creates agency problem.

Agency problem (principal-agent problem) is a conflict of interest that happens when the directors (agent) don't fully represent the best interest of the shareholders (principal)

So all the options in the question represents agency problem.