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Dynamics of CEO compensation: Old is gold

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  • Adhikari, Hari P.
  • Bulmash, Samuel B.
  • Krolikowski, Marcin W.
  • Sah, Nilesh B.

Abstract

There is an ongoing debate regarding the hiring and compensation of younger versus older employees. In this paper, we examine this question for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in the context of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002. We argue that the increased complexities in the post-SOX era (regulatory, technological, and the ever-changing business environment) have forced corporate boards to incentivize top executives for the increased burden. We contend that older CEOs are perceived as more reliable, efficient, and trustworthy (to fulfill the regulatory requirements demanded by SOX) than their younger counterparts. Consistent with our contention, we find that the total compensation of CEOs of U.S. firms has increased significantly for older CEOs as compared to their younger counterparts after the introduction of SOX. Our results are robust to sophisticated econometric techniques and also consistent with the logic that in order to motivate older CEOs (who would have raised substantial personal wealth over time) to keep working rather than retiring or moving to a competitor, their compensation package must be highly competitive.

Suggested Citation

  • Adhikari, Hari P. & Bulmash, Samuel B. & Krolikowski, Marcin W. & Sah, Nilesh B., 2015. "Dynamics of CEO compensation: Old is gold," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 191-206.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:57:y:2015:i:c:p:191-206
    DOI: 10.1016/j.qref.2015.01.007
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    5. Julija Winschel & Martin Stawinoga, 2019. "Determinants and effects of sustainable CEO compensation: a structured literature review of empirical evidence," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 69(3), pages 265-328, September.
    6. Essam Joura & Qin Xiao & Subhan Ullah, 2023. "The moderating effects of CEO power and personal traits on say‐on‐pay effectiveness: Insights from the Anglo‐Saxon economies," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 4055-4078, October.
    7. Hari P. Adhikari & Marcin W. Krolikowski & James Malm & Nilesh B. Sah, 2021. "Working capital (mis)management – impact of executive age," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 727-761, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate governance; Agency problems; SOX; CEO age; CEO compensation;
    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
    • G39 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Other
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods

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