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Non-executive employee stock ownership plans and corporate innovation efficiency: Evidence from China

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  • Zhang, Huili
  • Cui, Xuegang
  • Xu, Lei
  • Wang, Kaiyan

Abstract

We establish a positive link between non-executive employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and corporate innovation efficiency through a propriety dataset of listed firms on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. Our findings suggest that the ratio of shares held by non-executive employees is positive towards corporate innovation efficiency. In addition, only the long duration of ESOPs is positively related to innovation efficiency. The positive link is more pronounced among firms with more research and development (R&D) personnel, better-educated employees, and a smaller remuneration gap between executives and non-executive employees. Our findings are robust after mitigating endogeneity issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Huili & Cui, Xuegang & Xu, Lei & Wang, Kaiyan, 2024. "Non-executive employee stock ownership plans and corporate innovation efficiency: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:72:y:2024:i:c:s1062940824000500
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2024.102125
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-executive employee; Employee stock ownership plans; Corporate innovation efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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