эк., юр., упр. теория агентских соглашений (изучение взаимоотношений доверителя и агента, действующего от его имени; часто имеется в виду теория, рассматривающая отношения между собственниками компании и нанятыми ими управляющими)
A theory concerning the relationship between a principal (shareholder) and an agent of the principal (company's managers).
Agency theory is a very academic term. Essentially it involves the costs of resolving conflicts between the principals and agents and aligning interests of the two groups.
The analysis of principal-agent relationships, in which one person, an agent, acts on behalf of another person, a principal. Bloomberg Financial Dictionary
The analysis of principal-agent relationships, wherein one person, an agent, acts on behalf of anther person, a principal. The New York Times Financial Glossary