Download This PaperDoes Independent Advice to The Board Affect CEO Compensation?
Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Forthcoming
59 Pages Posted: 24 Oct 2019
Date Written: October 15, 2019
Abstract
This paper investigates the role external advice plays in the board’s determination of CEO compensation. We show that CEO incentive pay increases with the degree of compensation consultant independence using a quasi-natural experiment provided by the creation of an independent consultant after separation from an affiliated consultant. Specifically, switching to an independent consultant significantly increases Pay-Performance Sensitivity and Relative Performance Evaluation of CEO contracts. Despite the benefits of independent advice, independent consultants may not be hired due to the influence of powerful CEOs or because boards already possess adequate expertise.
Keywords: Compensation Consultants, Independent Advice, Pay-Performance Sensitivity
JEL Classification: G30, G34, J33, J41
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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