This paper studies the impact of executive pensions and deferred compensation plans, collectively known as "inside debt'', on corporate failures. I find that, on average, a firm whose CEO holds a larger fraction of the firm's debt than equity (i.e., when the ratio of the CEO's inside debt...

We develop a model of managerial compensation structure and asset risk choice. The model provides predictions about how inside debt features affect the relation between credit spreads and compensation components. First, inside debt reduces credit spreads only if it is unsecured. Second, inside...

We argue gender-diverse boards are associated with distinct preferences that reassure investors about their commitment to moderate risk and boost long-term corporate survival. Results suggest a strong relation between gender-diverse boards and bondholder-aligned CEO compensation components,...

We investigate some aspects of top management pay in China's listed firms. We find positive pay and performance sensitivities and elasticities for top executives. In terms of magnitude, these sensitivities are similar to those reported in U.S. firms during the 1970s. We also find that the pay...

This study examines the impact of the California Nonprofit Integrity Act (2004) on CEO compensation costs in affected organizations. Contrary to the stated objective of the Act that executive compensation be “just and reasonable,” we find that CEO compensation costs for affected nonprofits...