Executive Officer Research Articles

A Prosopographic Analysis of the Social Profiles of Late Ottoman Ambassadors and Consuls

In response to the growing demands of diplomacy within the increasingly institutionalized Ottoman diplomatic framework, a significant expansion in the number of diplomats employed by the state was observed during the final quarter of the nineteenth century. Concurrent with the rapid increase in diplomatic personnel, a systematic appointment process was implemented to enhance the recruitment of qualified and knowledgeable individuals. This study aims to examine the impact of the institutionalization of the Ottoman Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its ambassadors and consuls, who were the principal executive officers of the institution. Additionally, the article explores the social histories of Ottoman ambassadors and consuls by analyzing the evolution of their professional responsibilities and educational backgrounds. This study employs a prosopographic methodology to investigate the social and educational backgrounds and professional careers of Ottoman ambassadors and consuls, focusing on their personnel records archived in the Ottoman Archives. Through this analysis, the study aims to elucidate how the state's efforts to establish a centralized and institutionalized bureaucratic system, and to emphasize merit-based appointments, contributed to the formation of a distinct professional identity among Ottoman diplomats by the end of the nineteenth century.

Trading courtrooms for boardrooms: lawyers as CEOs

PurposePrior research suggests a chief executive officer’s (CEO) background is highly predictive of the strategic predisposition. This paper aims to focus on the need for accuracy in the categorization of CEO background and the impact that modest, nuanced changes in coding definitions yield.Design/methodology/approachThis study evaluates the use of biographic and demographic information of CEOs to provide a more nuanced and expansive approach to understanding the influence of legal education and experience on business strategy. Propositions as to more nuanced coding definitions are developed. Building upon Fligstein (1987), a proof-of-concept example is developed using CEO information available for 2010. That data is then reexamined using an altered method (Modified Fligstein) to discern changes in the number of CEOs contained within the background categories.FindingsThe two categorizations performed reveal that substantial differences in the number of CEOs coded into a category can come from relatively small changes in categorical definitions. In comparing the first categorization to the second, each of the vocational categories experienced a change, ranging from a decrease of 11.1% to an increase of 142.9%.Originality/valueThis study informs both theory and practice by increasing the efficacy of the use of biographic and demographic information to assess the strategic orientation of executives. It postulates and demonstrates that simple changes in the categorical definition produce significant changes and can skew empirical results that reduce the utility of prior studies.

Impression management in the boardroom: How CEO facial trustworthiness influences turnover risk

This paper examines the effect of perceived trustworthiness on the turnover of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and its moderating role in the relationship between firm performance and CEO turnover. We employ a unique dataset comprising headshots of male CEOs in US-listed firms from 2010 to 2019 and a machine learning-based facial landmark detector to construct a composite facial trustworthiness index. Our results show that CEOs exhibiting high facial trustworthiness experience a lower turnover risk. We also find that facial trustworthiness strongly influences the link between firm performance and CEO turnover. Well-performing executives have a lower risk of being dismissed from their positions, and the dismissal risk is even lower among CEOs perceived as having a high facial trustworthiness. Conversely, underperforming CEOs are more likely to be dismissed, and the dismissal probability is greater among CEOs who have been perceived as being highly trustworthy. Our findings are consistent with the predictions of the expectancy violation theory, which posits that trustworthy-looking executives are more likely to be punished if they do not live up to the expectations held by the board of directors.

Effects of Hidden Costs of Fee-Free Education On Students Academic Attainment in Public Secondary Schools in Karatu District, Tanzania

This study aimed at investigating the effects of hidden costs of fee-free education on students’ academic attainment in ordinary level secondary schools in Karatu district, Tanzania. The study employed convergent research resign which used both qualitative and quantitative designs. The study was conducted in 14 public secondary schools selected randomly from 31 public secondary schools in the Karatu district. The sample size was 318, consisting of form four students selected using systematic random sampling whereas fourteen parents, fourteen Head of School’s and fourteen Ward Executive Officers were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and semi structured interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that hidden costs had severe effects on students’ academic attainment. Other negative phenomena found to result from hidden costs include truancy and lack of concentration in class. Based on the findings the study concludes that there are serious negative consequences associated with hidden costs and consequently, in free education provision, hidden costs can be counterproductive, potentially able to decrease the chances of attaining the objectives of free education provision. The study recommends that strategies in free education provision should further expand to counterbalance costs of education. Strategies targeted at enhancing general improvements in people’s wellbeing and livelihood are also measures required to enhance the capacity of parents to shoulder the burden of education.

CEO family harmony and firm product innovation performance: A moderated mediation model of the CEO–TMT interface

Abstract In this study, we integrate work–family enrichment and upper echelons theories to examine how and when chief executive officers’ (CEOs’) family experiences impact their firms’ performance. We argue that CEO family harmony has an indirect effect on their firms’ product innovation performance through top management team (TMT) behavioral integration. Additionally, we propose that CEO founder status strengthens the effects of CEO family harmony. Our analysis of data from 101 CEOs and 458 TMT members in various high-tech industries in China indicates that the positive relationship between CEO family harmony and firms’ product innovation performance is mediated by TMT behavioral integration. Moreover, CEO founder status increases the direct effect of CEO family harmony on TMT behavioral integration and its indirect effect on firms’ product innovation performance through TMT behavioral integration. These findings have theoretical and practical implications and provide new research directions in the study of CEO family–work spillover and CEO–TMT interfaces.

Mergers and Acquisitions, CEO Compensation, and Corporate Governance in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry

Drawing on agency theory, we explore the relationship between mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and chief executive officer (CEO) compensation in the hospitality and tourism (HT) industry. Specifically, we investigate whether growth via acquisitions, a popular strategy in the HT industry, is influenced by CEO compensation. Using a sample of HT and non-HT firms for comparison from 1992 to 2019, we find that CEO compensation is significantly higher after acquisitions for both HT and non-HT firms. However, when controlling for common compensation determinants, CEO compensation is significantly higher in HT firms but not in non-HT firms. Surprisingly, in our sample, corporate governance is not significantly related to changes in CEO compensation post-acquisition. In addition, while the fraction of cash-based compensation is negatively related to M&A propensity in both HT and non-HT firms, the fraction of equity-based compensation is unrelated to M&A propensity in HT firms. Our study fills an important gap in the sparse literature on the link between M&A and CEO compensation in the HT industry, providing theoretical implications for future research and managerial implications for boards of directors to design compensation plans that align the interests of managers and shareholders.

The Situation of the Jordanian Legislator from the Interpretation of the Judicial Judgment

Study aims to discuss regulating the provisions of judicial judgments interpretation in Jordanian law regarding the practical necessity in making the ambiguous judgments issued by the court enforceable. As well as the provision in the execution law obliges the chief executive officer to request clarification from the court (issued the judgment) due to its ambiguity, which does not replace the importance of regulating this issue in the Jordanian Code of Civil Procedure. The researcher concluded that the regulation of the provisions of judicial judgments interpretation in Jordanian Civil Code, which is tainted with ambiguity, must include granting the right to request interpretation to the litigants and to the court (issued the judgment). It shall also include provisions of the ruling interpretation and grant the right to the litigants and the court in requesting the interpretation. So that the court shall always be competent to request the interpretation, if it has to comply with the interpretation regulations in order not to abuse the authority in interpreting in a way that makes its judgment subject to appeal. The researcher also discusses the importance of determining the procedures that shall be followed to submit the interpretation request; moreover, the researcher concludes the impact of appealing the original judgment issued by the court.

2024 Joint Address from the ASHP President and the Chief Executive Officer.

2024 Joint Address from the ASHP President and the Chief Executive Officer.

The Spiralling of Corporate Corruption and the Plummeting of Corporate Governance and Ethical Leadership in African Institutions

Generally, several factors around the corporate world influence different nations technologically, socially, economically, and politically. Specifically, this paper focuses on the African continent’s politics concerning corporate corruption, corporate governance, and ethical leadership. This study aims to critically reflect on and evaluate the significance of curbing and combating corruption, promoting governance and ethics in Africa, and furthering and practising those principles. It employed a theoretical, qualitative content analysis approach in which a critical evaluation of relevant in-depth literature review was used and conducted to achieve the study objective. The results of this study revealed that: Incompetent and unethical leaders succumb to corruption, causing Africa's corruption to spiral out of control. Competent and ethical leaders, on the other hand, resist corruption; African leaders and authorities should take steps to fight corruption through ethics and governance; African corporations have become increasingly corrupt; corporate governance and ethical leadership have declined in Africa; African politicians have uncurbed power to advance their private gains, and finally, African leaders need to change their mindsets and cultures to achieve economic growth. This study emphasizes and reiterates the importance of dealing effectively with corporate corruption and advancing governance and ethics to benefit the African population and the continent. It further provides a broad and deeper understanding of corruption, ethics, and governance. The conceptual, strategic model provided by this study may be selected and used by African leaders, authorities, boards of directors, shareholders, and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), as a tool to address corruption in African organizations and institutions.

Examining the Influential Role of Family CEO and Investment on Tunneling: A BoundTest Approach

Tunneling is one of the ferocious corporate frauds mostly practiced in concentrated firms. This creates principal-principal agency conflict which influences the entire company operation and discourages investors. This study examined whether growth opportunities and family chief executive officer (CEO) smooth the way for tunneling practices in concentrated firms. The study analyzed panel quantitative data through a fixed effect model and autoregressive distributed lagged (ARDL) to forecast the short and long-run nexus. The finding shows that an increase in investment for expansion purposes creates a way for outward tunneling, which means that controlling shareholders secure their private benefits while availing growth opportunities. In addition, the study forecasts that these positive nexuses will be sustained significantly in the short and long run. Further, the current study also found that family CEOs tackle and minimize expropriation due to sustaining business, getting growth, and having a good reputation in the market. The study helped the regulatory body design policy, providing thorough information to investors strengthening governance mechanisms, and protecting shareholder's rights. The findings contribute to understanding governance dynamics in concentrated firms and highlight the need for regulatory measures to curb tunneling.

Capital Budgeting Methods and Practices: Evidence from Privately Owned Firms in Pakistan

The aim of this research paper is to study the degree of using capital budgeting methods on choosing the appropriate project for investment by privately owned firms in Pakistan. We surveyed 58 chief executive officers (CEOs) of privately owned firms. Our survey contained fifteen questions to explore capital budgeting and cost of capital. The study covers the period from September, 2018 to May, 2019. Firms rely heavily on IRR as a project evaluation method. According to cost of capital methods, average historical rate of return on common stock is mostly used by the firms. The regression test showed significant relationship between firm characteristics with respective to the use of capital budgeting techniques and cost of capital methods.

The emotional complexity of corporate communication: An emerging market case study

This study examines Renergen Ltd's Chief Executive Officer's defence of using paid analysts. By analysing sentiment from the CEO's interview, using Facial Expression Recognition (FER) and Dynamic Exploratory Graph Analysis (DynEGA), we explore the emotional tones of sadness, fear, regret, excitement, happiness and optimism. The findings suggest that the CEO's communication was strategically crafted to address investor concerns and promote a positive outlook, highlighting the use of impression management to influence retail investors and navigate the controversy surrounding the company.

Analysis of the Performance Allowance System in Improving Employee Performance

This study investigates the effectiveness of the performance allowance system at PD. BPR Bahteramas Konawe in improving employee performance. The research explores the roles of transparency, fairness, and flexibility within the system and assesses its impact on employee motivation and productivity. The main issue addressed is identifying the key factors that influence the relationship between the allowance system and the achievement of organizational goals. The purpose of this research is to provide management with recommendations to refine the performance allowance system, enabling the company to achieve its strategic objectives and enhance its competitiveness in the financial sector. The study uses descriptive qualitative analysis with interviews as the primary data collection tool. The analysis focuses on important themes gathered from insights provided by the Chief Executive Officer, Operations Manager, and staff from various divisions. The findings reveal that the performance allowance system significantly enhances employee performance by offering both financial and non-financial incentives that recognize individual contributions. Success depends on setting clear targets, maintaining transparent evaluations, and utilizing technology for accurate assessments

Navigating market waves: How CEO political ideology shapes the currents of innovation-induced tourism value

The upper echelons theory postulates that the cognitive frameworks of top executives shape organizational decisions and behaviors. Based on this theory, this study contributes to the literature by analyzing the effects of the chief executive officer's (CEO) political ideology and political climate on variations in the market value of tourism firms resulting from their innovation activities. An empirical application was conducted on major U.S. hotel companies that have traded on the stock market for the last 25 years (1998–2022) and made innovation-related announcements. This application shows that, although the implementation of innovative activities positively affects a firm's market value, both the CEO's political ideology and the political climate influence the degree of change in the said market value. This study has fundamental theoretical implications for upper echelons theory by improving the understanding of how cognitive diversity derived from political ideology influences decision-making and its outcomes.

Negative emotions and marketing retrenchment during crisis: attribution effects through crisis severity and strategic orientations

PurposeEmotions are widely acknowledged decision-making drivers, taking the front seat when managers lack objective information. Existing evidence indicates that negative emotions often lead to the decision to retrench. Contrary to these insights, our research aims to show that negative emotions can sometimes push top managers to withdraw from retrenching marketing activities. By drawing on the affect-as-information approach, this study aims to examine the direct and conditional effects of top managers’ negative emotions on small and medium-sized enteprises (SMEs’) intention to retrench marketing activities during the recent economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a descriptive research design and surveys a sample of 155 chief executive officers from business-to-business (B2B) SMEs in Croatia. The authors empirically test the conceptual framework with hierarchical regression.FindingsBased on the sample of 155 top managers of SMEs operating in B2B industries, negative emotions positively drive marketing retrenchment. However, additional insights reveal that this relationship is conditioned by crisis severity and SMEs' strategic orientations (exploration and exploitation). The relationship between negative emotions and marketing retrenchment weakens for SMEs severely hampered by the crisis and for SMEs following the exploitative orientation. In contrast, this relationship becomes stronger for SMEs whose business customers have been severely hampered and for SMEs following exploratory orientation.Originality/valueThis research advances the body of knowledge by demonstrating that, depending on the severity of the crisis and the strategic orientation of the SME, top managers may interpret negative emotions quite differently, which eventually has lasting consequences on marketing retrenchment during crises. Therefore, by focusing on emotional microfoundations and unique crisis- and firm-level contingencies, this study goes beyond existing theoretical discussions that contrast marketing retrenchment vs investment and offers a different understanding of why and when SMEs retrench their marketing activities during crises.

The position of state-owned enterprises: Towards a health sector super holding company paradigm

Purpose: In Indonesia, the State-Owned Enterprises holding in the healthcare sector operates under the mandate of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, consisting of two main holding companies: PT. Bio Farma (Persero), which includes PT Kimia Farma, PT Indofarma, and PT Inuki, as well as Pertamedika IHC that manages SOE hospitals nationwide. The overlap in business activities between PT. Bio Farma and Pertamedika IHC suggests the potential for establishing a super healthcare holding. Method: This research, conducted normatively, evaluates the principles and legal norms for creating such a super holding, referencing the legislative framework and Constitutional Court decisions. Result: The proposed super holding would adopt a modern corporate structure led by a Chief Executive Officer, akin to Temasek in Singapore or Khazanah in Malaysia. The establishment of a super healthcare holding company involves PT. Bio Farma with its 410 healthcare clinics and Pertamedika IHC as the parent holding of SOE hospitals, which manages 75 hospitals and 143 healthcare clinics throughout Indonesia. Conclusion: However, legal challenges, including the state's financial status and the legal relationships between parent and subsidiary companies, necessitate amendments to Law No. 19 of 2003 on SOEs to provide a stronger legal foundation for the formation of the super holding.

Research on Relationship Between Governance Structure and Corporate Performance of Chinese Technology Companies

In the post-pandemic age of 2023, the economy is in recovery. Despite the distinctive qualities of technology firms, such as quick development and high levels of innovation, they face problems such as economic downturns and funding issues. As a result, the corporate governance structure is critical to guaranteeing the firms' long-term viability. The purpose of this article is to examine 252 publicly traded technology companies and investigate the link between corporate financial performance and corporate governance arrangements. This article used Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) analysis to look at the link between board independence, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) duality, ownership concentration, and return on equity (ROE). The regression findings indicate a negative association between ROE and the proportion of independent directors. However, there is no substantial association between the duality of ROE and the CEO, and ROE has a U-shaped relationship with ownership concentration. The study's findings imply that corporate executives and regulators should adopt an effective monitoring mechanism to ensure the impartiality and reliability of independent directors' oversight. To ensure strong financial performance, organizations should maintain appropriate levels of independent director percentages and stock concentration.

The composition of listed family firm boards in South Africa: Alignment to best practices and governance codes

Purpose: As elsewhere in the world, family firms (FFs) play a critical role in the South African economy. There is, however, scant research on how, if at all, listed South African FFs differ from their non-family counterparts concerning board composition and independence. The purpose of this study was to address this knowledge gap by investigating director and chair independence, chair-chief executive officer (CEO) role duality, board race and gender diversity, as well as board rotation at FFs listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) over the period 2006 to 2022. The study was informed by the agency, socioemotional wealth, and stewardship theories.Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected on 753 directors who served on the boards of 37 JSE-listed FFs. Data sources included Bloomberg and the FFs’ integrated reports and websites. Data were analysed by examining trends in the considered variables over time.Findings/results: While family involvement at board level remained relatively constant, considerably fewer family members served as board chairs and CEOs towards the end of the research period. Board independence increased significantly over the research period.Practical implications: Shareholder activists’ requests for improved board governance of JSE-listed FFs seem justified. Activists should, however, also consider the benefits of family stewardship when evaluating director and chair independence in these firms. This study also identifies practical implications for nomination committees and investor education.Originality/value: The use of multiple theoretical lenses provides a balanced view of board governance at JSE-listed FFs. The study contributes to the scant body of knowledge on board composition and independence in listed FFs in South Africa, which will enable future FF research.

Moderating effect of chief executive officer servant leadership on the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance

Although entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is widely believed to benefit firms, it is increasingly considered necessary but insufficient for achieving superior firm performance. To better understand the circumstances under which EO is beneficial for firms, we adopt a resource-based perspective to introduce chief executive officer (CEO) servant leadership as a critical moderator of the EO–performance relationship. We validate our predictions using multi-point data from 170 small firms in India. The results reveal that three servant leadership behaviours – altruistic calling, wisdom and emotional healing – strengthen the EO–performance relationship. Furthermore, consistent with systems logic, the performance benefits of EO are found to be greater when the CEO servant leadership is closer to an ‘ideal’ configuration of behaviours. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the role of CEO leadership behaviours in fully actualising EO’s performance potential, thus illuminating the importance of aligning a firm’s strategic posture with other constructs of interest.

The Influence of Women on Boards on the Relationship between Executive and Employee Remuneration

The growing presence of women at the top of companies has sparked interest in examining their role in the remuneration gap between senior managers and employees. This article analyses the traditional Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-to-employee pay ratio but includes a new relation, the senior-management-to-employee pay ratio, and extends the research by including six positions for women in company management: on the board of directors, executive directors, CEOs, proprietary directors, independent directors, and senior managers. The study is based on a sample of 77 listed companies in Spain from 2015 to 2022 and the panel data models have been estimated using the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM). The main findings indicate that the proportion of women in different categories of board and senior management positions has a positive effect on the CEO-to-employee pay ratio, especially in companies with higher market capitalisation. In contrast, the proportion of women in senior management positions has a negative effect on the CEO-to-employee pay ratio in all the samples analysed. Government agencies should prioritise the participation of women in non-board senior management positions in order to at least reduce the pay gap between senior managers and employees.