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Hunting and Fishing CEOs: Environmental Plunderers or Saviors?

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Covington

    (Loyola Marymount University)

  • Steve Swidler

    (Lafayette College)

  • Keven Yost

    (Auburn University)

Abstract

CEOs who participate in hunting and fishing benefit by appreciating natural environments and permanently consuming natural resources. We examine whether CEOs who hunt and fish make different environmental decisions and find that firms led by CEOs who obtain the most hunting and fishing licenses have lower environmental performance as measured by MSCI-KLD. This effect is strongest in the environmental category of climate change but also extends to pollution, waste, and the protection of natural capital. Furthermore, firms led by CEOs with the most hunting and fishing licenses are significantly more likely to pay a regulatory settlement for an environmental regulatory infraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Covington & Steve Swidler & Keven Yost, 2025. "Hunting and Fishing CEOs: Environmental Plunderers or Saviors?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 197(2), pages 423-444, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:197:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-024-05744-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05744-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CEO; CSR; Sustainability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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