A Theory of Trade Secrets in Firms*
构建了一个层级企业中商业秘密的简单理论模型，分析经理对商业秘密的获取如何影响最优保密程度、工资结构，并解释经理可能过度保护秘密和支付过高工资的现象。
This article provides a simple theoretical model of trade secrets in hierarchical firms. A crucial assumption is that each manager has access to trade secrets pertaining to his own hierarchical level as well as to all lower levels. The article explores some implications of this assumption for optimal degree of trade secrets accumulation and protection as well as for the wage structure in firms. In addition, the model implies that managers may have an incentive to overpay their subordinates and protect their firms’ trade secrets too much.