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Are European CEOs paid equally? A study of the UK-continental Europe pay gap

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  • Andrés, Pablo de
  • Arranz-Aperte, Laura

Abstract

We use an extensive dataset that covers eleven western European countries to document a CEO pay gap between the United Kingdom and continental Europe that is larger than the well-documented gap between US and non-US firms, and remains persistent despite the efforts to harmonize corporate governance and pay in Europe. Country analyses show a stronger association between board independence and CEO pay in the UK. They also show a stronger association between ROA and cash payments, and a stronger association between market-to-book and equity-linked compensation, suggesting that closer scrutiny could partly contribute to CEO pay moderation in continental Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrés, Pablo de & Arranz-Aperte, Laura, 2019. "Are European CEOs paid equally? A study of the UK-continental Europe pay gap," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 169-177.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:29:y:2019:i:c:p:169-177
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2018.07.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Independent directors; CEO compensation; Board of directors; Corporate governance; European companies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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