Does the effect of the annual year taboo exist? Empirical evidence from senior managers’ zodiac year and corporate inefficient investment

Abstract

Based on the unique folk belief of the zodiac year, this study explores the effect of senior managers' zodiac year on corporate inefficient investment (CII) using data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2006 to 2019. The study findings are as follows: (1) senior managers are more conservative and cautious in their zodiac year. Increasing risk aversion prevents blind investment and inhibits CII. (2) The restraining effect of the zodiac year on CII is more apparent in nonstate-owned enterprises, regions with low marketization levels, Central China, and Northeast China. This effect is attributed to the degree of superstitious belief of senior managers and becomes more pronounced with increasing age. The zodiac years of the Year of the Ox, Year of the Dragon, and Year of the Pig affect the Annual Year Taboo the most; meanwhile, the zodiac years of the CEO and the chairman exert a more significant effect than that of the vice-chairman. In addition, the restraining effect is only reflected in the zodiac year and draws a significantly negative market reaction. (3) The level of cash holdings is a potential channel for senior managers to improve corporate investment efficiency in managers’ zodiac year. By providing unique evidence from the Eastern cultural context, this study enriches the research literature on emerging market culture and business management.