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Knowledge, compensation, and firm value: An empirical analysis of firm communication

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  • Li, Feng
  • Minnis, Michael
  • Nagar, Venky
  • Rajan, Madhav

Abstract

Knowledge is central to managing an organization, but its presence in employees is difficult to measure directly. We hypothesize that external communication patterns reveal the location of knowledge within the management team. Using a large database of firm conference call transcripts, we find that CEOs speak less in settings where they are likely to be relatively less knowledgeable. CEOs who speak more are also paid more, and firms whose CEO pay is not commensurate with CEO speaking have a lower industry-adjusted Tobin׳s Q. Communication thus appears to reveal knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Feng & Minnis, Michael & Nagar, Venky & Rajan, Madhav, 2014. "Knowledge, compensation, and firm value: An empirical analysis of firm communication," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 58(1), pages 96-116.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:58:y:2014:i:1:p:96-116
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2014.06.003
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    13. Sudipta Bose & Habib Zaman Khan & Reza M. Monem, 2021. "Does green banking performance pay off? Evidence from a unique regulatory setting in Bangladesh," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 162-187, March.
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    17. Devrimi Kaya & Christian Maier & Tobias Böhmer, 2020. "Empirische Kapitalmarktforschung zu Conference Calls: Eine Literaturanalyse [Empirical Capital Market Research on Conference Calls: A Literature Review]," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 72(2), pages 183-212, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Knowledge; Communication; Firm value; Compensation; Authority; Organization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation

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