Managerial Sentiment and Employment

39 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2021 Last revised: 8 Feb 2024

See all articles by Maurizio Montone

Maurizio Montone

Utrecht University

Yuhao Zhu

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Remco C. J. Zwinkels

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Tinbergen Institute

Date Written: February 1, 2023

Abstract

Recent research shows that managers, much like investors, are prone to sentiment. In this paper, we study the effect of managerial sentiment on firms' operations both theoretically and empirically. Consistent with our model's predictions, we find that high managerial sentiment increases employment growth, especially among firms with limited investment opportunities and regardless of their cash resources. We also show that high managerial sentiment offsets the negative effect of low investor sentiment and bad governance on employment, but ultimately leads to lower labor productivity. Overall, the findings unveil a new channel through which optimistic managers affect firms' operations.

Keywords: Managerial sentiment, Employment, Investment opportunities, Investor sentiment

JEL Classification: D80, G12, G14, G32

Suggested Citation

Montone, Maurizio and Zhu, Yuhao and Zwinkels, Remco C.J., Managerial Sentiment and Employment (February 1, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3777543 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3777543

Maurizio Montone

Utrecht University ( email )

Kriekenpitplein 21-22
Adam Smith Building
Utrecht, +31 30 253 7373 3584 EC
Netherlands

Yuhao Zhu

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3000 DR Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3062PA
Netherlands

Remco C.J. Zwinkels (Contact Author)

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, NH 1081 HV
Netherlands
+31205985220 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://research.vu.nl/en/persons/remco-zwinkels

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Burg. Oudlaan 50
Rotterdam, 3062 PA
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://tinbergen.nl/person/1574/remco-zwinkels

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