An Ill Wind? Terrorist Attacks and CEO Compensation
51 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2018
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An Ill Wind? Terrorist Attacks and CEO Compensation
An Ill Wind? Terrorist Attacks and CEO Compensation
Date Written: October 1, 2018
Abstract
Using multiple measures of attack proximity, we show that CEOs employed at firms located near terrorist attacks earn an average pay increase of 12% after the attack relative to CEOs at firms located far from attacks. CEOs at terrorist attack-proximate firms prefer cash-based compensation increases (e.g., salary and bonus) over equity-based compensation (e.g., options and stocks granted). The effect is causal and it is larger when the bargaining power of the CEO is high. Other executives and workers do not receive a terrorist attack premium.
Keywords: Terrorist Attacks, Executive Compensation, Compensation Structure, CEO Labor Market, Non-Monetary Compensation
JEL Classification: G15, G30, G34
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation