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Director self-dealing: Evidence from compensation peer groups

Author

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  • Frye, Melissa B.
  • Gatchev, Vladimir A.
  • Pham, Duong T.

Abstract

We find that director pay, especially the equity-based portion, is positively related to peer firms' director pay, suggesting boards benchmark when establishing their own compensation. Such benchmarking is distinct from peer benchmarking in CEO pay. We also find a significant bias in peer selection towards peers with relatively high director pay, which helps increase board pay. Peer benchmarking of director compensation is more (less) pronounced in firms with low (high) involvement by institutional investors and firms with declining (increasing) profitability. Overall, our results are consistent with directors engaging in self-dealing when selecting compensation peers, without clear benefits to the firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Frye, Melissa B. & Gatchev, Vladimir A. & Pham, Duong T., 2024. "Director self-dealing: Evidence from compensation peer groups," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:85:y:2024:i:c:s0929119924000221
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2024.102560
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Board compensation; Board incentives; Peer selection; Agency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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