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The market for CEOs: An empirical analysis

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  • Aivazian, Varouj A.
  • Lai, Tat-kei
  • Rahaman, Mohammad M.

Abstract

We investigate empirically a market-based explanation for the rise in recent years in external CEO hiring and compensation and find, consistent with the market-based theory, that firms in industries relying on general managerial skills are more likely to hire CEOs externally than firms in industries relying less on such skills. We show that firms relying on internal CEOs have on average higher profits than external-CEO firms and that the difference in profits decreases as general skills become more important in the industry. We relate managerial skills to compensation and show that CEO general skills induce better firm performance and higher compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Aivazian, Varouj A. & Lai, Tat-kei & Rahaman, Mohammad M., 2013. "The market for CEOs: An empirical analysis," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 24-54.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jebusi:v:67:y:2013:i:c:p:24-54
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeconbus.2013.02.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CEO turnover; CEO skills; CEO compensation; General skills;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • J40 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - General

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