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Impact Of CEO Characteristics On Corporate Tax Avoidance: GMM Approach In French Listed Firms

Author

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  • Anissa Dakhli

    (ISFF, University of Sousse, Tunisia
    LIGUE Laboratory, University of Manouba, Tunisia)

  • Zouhaira Khelil

    (FCF Laboratory, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
    Departement of accouting and finance, ISGG, University of Gabes, Tunisia)

Abstract

Research Question- How do CEO characteristics affect corporate tax avoidance level? Motivation- Few studies have addressed this topic in the French context. In addition, this research investigates the combined effect on tax avoidance of CEO characteristics. Indeed, prior studies analyzed each characteristic effect taken separately; i.e CEO tenure, CEO compensation, CEO duality, CEO ownership. In this respect, our study will shed further light on the question. Idea- We examine the effect of chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics on corporate tax avoidance level.CEO characteristics as CEO duality, CEO compensation, CEO ownership, CEO financial expertise, and CEO tenure were used as the independent variables. Data- We use a sample of 34 companies listed on the CAC 40 during the 2013-2021 period. Tools- We use the GMM estimation for panel data.CEO characteristics data were hand-collected from companies’ annual reports, and financial data were obtained from Datastream database. Findings- The empirical results show that CEO characteristics, namely CEO duality, CEO compensation, CEO ownership, and CEO financial expertise, positively affect tax avoidance. However, no significant relationship was found between CEO tenure and corporate tax avoidance. Contribution- This paper contributes to the existing literature by extending previous literature on whether CEO characteristics, considered simultaneously, affect corporate tax avoidance in a specific context, the French context.

Suggested Citation

  • Anissa Dakhli & Zouhaira Khelil, 2025. "Impact Of CEO Characteristics On Corporate Tax Avoidance: GMM Approach In French Listed Firms," Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 24(3), pages 391-416, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ami:journl:v:24:y:2025:i:3:p:391-416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • M4 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • C3 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables

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