The Interactions between R&D Investment Decisions and Compensation Policy

Abstract

We use a system of equations to investigate the endogenous relation between R&D investment and CEO compensation. Growth opportunity is positively related to the use of stock options. Stock options positively affect R&D while restricted stock has a negative influence. These results suggest that CEO compensation should balance incentive alignment and efficient risk sharing with risk-averse managers. Stock options are also found to be negatively related to leverage, but positively related to convertible debt. Additionally, this analysis suggests that institutional ownership directly influences R&D investment by providing managerial oversight and indirectly by influencing the compensation policy.