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The value of say on pay

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  • Kind, Axel
  • Poltera, Marco
  • Zaia, Johannes

Abstract

We measure the impact of “say on pay” (SoP) – mandatory shareholder votes on top-management compensation – on the market value of voting rights. By exploiting the staggered introduction of SoP across 14 economies, we show that SoP does not automatically increase the value of shareholder voting rights. While stricter, binding SoP reforms increase voting values, looser advisory SoP laws decrease them. Firms that do not pay their CEOs excessively experience the largest decreases in voting values. Voting values also reflect a country’s level of investor protection, past dissent in SoP ballots, and dynamically adjust to changes in managerial compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kind, Axel & Poltera, Marco & Zaia, Johannes, 2024. "The value of say on pay," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:169:y:2024:i:c:s0378426624002255
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2024.107311
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Say on pay; Shareholder voting rights; Corporate governance; Option pricing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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