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Executive succession: The importance of social capital in CEO appointments

Author

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  • Margarethe F. Wiersema
  • Yoichiro Nishimura
  • Katsushi Suzuki

Abstract

Research Summary: Firm performance and corporate governance have been shown to influence CEO selection, but our understanding of the role of social capital is more limited. In this study, we seek to provide further insight into the role of social capital by examining the influence of both “bonding” and “bridging” forms of social capital on CEO appointments. We find that candidates who have relational social capital, in terms of overlap with the CEO in organizational tenure, board tenure, and CEO tenure are more likely to be appointed as CEO. We also find that candidates who have external linkages to the CEO in the form of geographic, prestigious university, and prior employment affiliations are more likely to be appointed CEO. Managerial Summary: The appointment of a new CEO has significant and widespread implications for the firm’s future strategic direction and performance, the relationship between the board and CEO, and perceptions by investors, employees, and other key stakeholders. Our study finds that candidates who have shared connections and experiences with the CEO in terms of geographic, prestigious university, or prior employment affiliations as well as overlap in terms of organizational tenure, board tenure, and CEO tenure are more likely to be appointed CEO. Given the enormous impact that executive appointments have on the strategic direction and performance of the company, it is important to recognize that social factors such as shared experiences and connections influence how candidates are perceived, and thus, may affect appointment decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Margarethe F. Wiersema & Yoichiro Nishimura & Katsushi Suzuki, 2018. "Executive succession: The importance of social capital in CEO appointments," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(5), pages 1473-1495, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:stratm:v:39:y:2018:i:5:p:1473-1495
    DOI: 10.1002/smj.2766
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard J. Gentry & Joseph S. Harrison & Timothy J. Quigley & Steven Boivie, 2021. "A database of CEO turnover and dismissal in S&P 1500 firms, 2000–2018," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(5), pages 968-991, May.
    2. Mari Sako & Katsuyuki Kubo, 2018. "Professionals On Corporate Boards In Japan: How Do They Affect The Bottom Line?," Working Papers halshs-01770191, HAL.
    3. Renko, Maija & Yli-Renko, Helena & Denoo, Lien, 2022. "Sold, not bought: Market orientation and technology as drivers of acquisitions of private biotechnology ventures," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(1).
    4. Qiong Jia & Liyuan Wei & Xiaotong Li, 2019. "Visualizing Sustainability Research in Business and Management (1990–2019) and Emerging Topics: A Large-Scale Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-37, October.
    5. Sun, Helin & Cappa, Francesco & Zhu, Jia & Peruffo, Enzo, 2023. "The effect of CEO social capital, CEO duality and state-ownership on corporate innovation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    6. SAKO Mari & KUBO Katsuyuki, 2019. "Professionals on Corporate Boards: How do they affect the bottom line?," Discussion papers 19010, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    7. Muddassar Sarfraz & Syed G. M. Shah & Zeeshan Fareed & Farrukh Shahzad, 2020. "Demonstrating the interconnection of hierarchical order disturbances in CEO succession with corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 2956-2971, November.
    8. Stefan Schmid & Felix Roedder, 2022. "Much ado about diversity? The perpetuation of old elites on corporate boards," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 3263-3285, December.
    9. Ren, Shenggang & Cheng, Yingmei & Hu, Yucai & Yin, Chao, 2021. "Feeling right at home: Hometown CEOs and firm innovation," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    10. Steven Balsam & So Yean Kwack, 2022. "The impact of connections between the CEO and top executives on appointment, turnover and firm value," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(5-6), pages 882-933, May.
    11. Hansin Bilgili & Jonathan L. Johnson & Tsvetomira V. Bilgili & Alan E. Ellstrand, 2022. "Research on social relationships and processes governing the behaviors of members of the corporate elite: a review and bibliometric analysis," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(8), pages 2285-2339, November.
    12. Ting Nie & Mi Tian & Hengrui Liang, 2021. "Relational Capital and Post-Traumatic Growth: The Role of Work Meaning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-11, July.

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