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CEO early-life experience and corporate accounting conservatism: Insights from the socio-political context

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  • Liu, Xutang
  • Young, Martin
  • Liao, Jing

Abstract

Using China's Cultural Revolution as a shock to risk attitude, this study investigates the effect of CEOs' early-life experience on corporate accounting conservatism. We find that CEOs who experienced the Cultural Revolution in their early life are more risk-averse and conservative, and thereby are associated with a higher level of accounting conservatism. Such a positive relationship is more pronounced in provinces with higher political risks, e.g., where the provincial leadership changes and where high-profile provincial bureaucratic corruption cases occur. Also, the positive effect of CEOs' early-life experience is stronger in SOEs where CEOs' political career concerns are more pronounced. Additional analysis suggests that CEOs with early-life Cultural Revolution experience are more likely to adopt conservative accounting practice, such as increasing firm's provisions for liabilities and reducing accrual-based earnings management. Our results add new evidence to support the upper echelons theory and imprinting theory by highlighting the enduring impact of influential socio-political events during early life on the decision-making processes of CEOs.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Xutang & Young, Martin & Liao, Jing, 2024. "CEO early-life experience and corporate accounting conservatism: Insights from the socio-political context," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ememar:v:63:y:2024:i:c:s1566014124001109
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ememar.2024.101215
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