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Are Executives in Short Supply? Evidence from Deaths' Events

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  • Julien Sauvagnat

    (Bocconi University and CEPR)

  • Fabiano Schivardi

    (Luiss University, EIEF and CEPR)

Abstract

Using exhaustive administrative data on Italian social security records, we construct measures of local labor market tightness for executives that vary by industry and location. We then show that firm performance is negatively affected by executives death, but only in thin local labor markets. Death events are followed by an increase in the separation rate for the other executives, in particular for those with a college degree. Consistent with the hypothesis that the drop in performance is due to executives' short supply, we find that after a death event executives wages in other firms increase, but only in thin markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Julien Sauvagnat & Fabiano Schivardi, 2020. "Are Executives in Short Supply? Evidence from Deaths' Events," EIEF Working Papers Series 2010, Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance (EIEF), revised May 2020.
  • Handle: RePEc:eie:wpaper:2010
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    2. Audinga Baltrunaite & Egle Karmaziene, 2020. "Trainspotting: Board Appointments in Private Firms," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1278, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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