當代理人代表多個委託人行事時,代理問題可能會加劇(即「多委託人問題」,英語:Multiple principal problem)。[5][6]當一個代理人代表多個委託人行事時,多個委託人必須就代理人的目標達成一致。 他們在治理方面面臨集體行動問題,因為個別委託人可能會遊說代理人或以其他方式為他們的個人利益行事,而不是為了所有委託人的集體利益。[7]結果可能包括在指導和監控中搭便車[8],重複指導和監控[9],或委託人之間的衝突[10],所有這些都會導致代理的高度自主權。 多重委託人問題在公共部門尤為嚴重,公共部門的多重委託人很常見,在缺乏顯著治理的情況下,效率和民主問責制都會受到損害。[5][11][12]
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^Garrone, P.; Grilli, L.; Rousseau, X. Management discretion and political interference in municipal enterprises: Evidence from Italian utilities. Local Government Studies. 2013, 39 (4): 514–40. S2CID 220386135. doi:10.1080/03003930.2012.726198.
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