The Value of Luck in the Labor Market for CEOs

Mario Amore () and Sebastian Schwenen ()

No 14839, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: It is well-known that luck increases the compensation of CEOs at their current firm. In this paper, we explore how luck affects CEOs’ outside options in the labor market, and the performance of firms that hire lucky CEOs. Our results show that luck at their current firm makes CEOs move to a new firm and be appointed as both CEO and chairman. Lucky CEOs tend to match with firms subject to low analyst coverage and operating in less competitive industries. Moreover, lucky CEOs are able to obtain a higher pay at the new firm (both in absolute terms and compared to new industry peers). Finally, difference-in-differences results show that hiring lucky CEOs hurts firm performance, mostly due to a surge in operating costs and a poorer usage of corporate assets.

Keywords: Luck; Ceo mobility; Compensation; Firm performance; Corporate governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D86 G34 J33 M12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-cfn and nep-hrm
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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