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CEO Ability, Pay, and Firm Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Yuk Ying Chang

    (School of Economics and Finance, College of Business, Massey University, Wellington 6021, New Zealand)

  • Sudipto Dasgupta

    (Department of Finance, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

  • Gilles Hilary

    (Department of Accounting, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong; and Department of Accounting, HEC Paris, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France)

Abstract

Do chief executive officers (CEOs) really matter? Do cross-sectional differences in firm performance and CEO pay reflect differences in CEO ability? Examining CEO departures over 1992-2002, we first find that the stock price reaction upon departure is negatively related to the firm's prior performance and to the CEO's prior pay. Second, the CEO's subsequent labor market success is greater if the firm's predeparture performance is better, the prior pay is higher, and the stock market's reaction is more negative. Finally, better prior performance, higher prior pay, and a more negative stock market reaction are associated with worse postdeparture firm performance. Collectively, these results reject the view that differences in firm performance stem entirely from non-CEO factors such as the firms' assets, other employees, or "luck," and that CEO pay is unrelated to the CEO's contribution to firm value.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuk Ying Chang & Sudipto Dasgupta & Gilles Hilary, 2010. "CEO Ability, Pay, and Firm Performance," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 56(10), pages 1633-1652, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:56:y:2010:i:10:p:1633-1652
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.1100.1205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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