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Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis Vol. 58 No. 4 2023

CEO Selection and Executive Appearance

Douglas O. Cook; Shawn Mobbs

University of Alabama

open access

Abstract

Survey assessments have found limited evidence of benefits of executive attractiveness. We use an objective measure of facial attractiveness that is correlated with survey assessments but less noisy and identify several benefits from executive facial attractiveness previously found in the general population but heretofore empirically elusive among executives. We examine the effect of both measures on executive compensation, promotion to CEO and the corresponding shareholder reaction, and promotion to board chair. The objective measure identifies significantly positive labor market effects for executive attractiveness in all outcomes in contrast to survey assessments of attractiveness that do not correlate with any outcome.

DOI
10.1017/s0022109022000461
Volume
58
Issue
4
Pages
1582-1611
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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