Abstract We develop a multi-level context-embedded framework from institution-level, industry-level, interorganization-level, firm-level and individual-level to evaluate 93 empirical research articles related to principal-agent theory in results of management research from 41 important management academic journals issued between 2000 and 2015, and we use bibliometric and content analysis to summarize the application status and research hot spot of empirical papers of principal-agent theory in Chinese management research from five aspects including published trend, research contents, date source, statistical methods, and theory foundations. Finally, from context, theory, method and appliance aspects, some suggestions are put forward about the future study direction of principal-agent theory in Chinese management research.
2017, Vol. 14 
