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CEO given names and corporate green investment

Author

Listed:
  • Jia, Fansheng
  • Li, Guangzhong
  • Lu, Xiaoyan
  • Xie, Sujuan

Abstract

Drawing on the psychology of names, this study examines whether a CEO having a given name that has a moral meaning (a moral name) affects corporate investment decisions on environmental protection. We find that a CEO having a moral name plays a significant role in increasing a firm's green investment. Further analysis shows that this positive relationship is more pronounced for state-owned firms. When CEOs' economic incentives are increased, the positive effect of CEOs' moral names on green investment is reduced. Overall, our findings suggest that given names with moral meanings have implications for the moral behavior of executives.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia, Fansheng & Li, Guangzhong & Lu, Xiaoyan & Xie, Sujuan, 2021. "CEO given names and corporate green investment," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ememar:v:48:y:2021:i:c:s1566014121000169
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ememar.2021.100808
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    Cited by:

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    3. Huang, Ruilei & Wei, Jiuchang, 2023. "Does CEOs’ green experience affect environmental corporate social responsibility? Evidence from China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 205-231.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CEO ethical motives; Psychology of given names; Green investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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