Aging at the Very Top

Valentin Kecht (), Alessandro Lizzeri () and Farzad Saidi ()
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Valentin Kecht: University of Bonn
Alessandro Lizzeri: Princeton University, NBER, & CEPR
Farzad Saidi: University of Bonn & CEPR

No 404, ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series from University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract: This paper documents that the age at which CEOs are appointed has risen sharply over the past several decades. Using newly assembled data covering a wide set of firms, we show that this increase is concentrated outside the largest listed firms and driven primarily by longer and more diverse external career paths prior to CEO appointment. These patterns are difficult to reconcile with explanations based on demographics, schooling, or tenure, and are instead consistent with a matching framework in which rising demand for generalist human capital leads firms to trade off peak ability for accumulated experience. We investigate the forces behind this shift. Using variation in consulting networks, we establish that firms place greater weight on diversified managerial experience as operating environments have become increasingly uncertain and complex. We also provide evidence for a supply-side response in which prospective CEOs broaden their skill portfolio as demand for generalist skills rises.

Keywords: CEOs; aging; executive labor markets; generalist skills; uncertainty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D22 J21 J24 M12 M51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 114 pages
Date: 2026-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hrm
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https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_404_2026.pdf First version, 2026 (application/pdf)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:404

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