brightest managers to the public sector abound. This paper studies self-selection into managerial and non-managerial positions … return to managerial ability is always highest in the private sector. As a result, relatively many of the more able managers …

convinced that their manager cares for them. Managers can signal their altruistic feelings towards their employees in two ways … altruistic managers may offer lower wages and nevertheless build up better social-exchange relationships with their employees … than egoistic managers do. In such equilibria, a low wage signals to employees that the manager has something else to offer …