A Theory of Fair CEO Pay

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review: Insights
Year: 2025
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
Pages: 306-24

Authors (3)

Pierre Chaigneau (not in RePEc) Alex Edmans (University of Pennsylvania) Daniel Gottlieb (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper studies executive pay with fairness concerns: If the CEO's wage falls below a perceived fair share of output, he suffers disutility that is increasing in the discrepancy. Fairness concerns do not always lead to fair wages; instead, the firm threatens the CEO with unfair wages for low output to induce effort. The contract sometimes involves performance-vesting equity: The CEO is paid a constant share of output if it is sufficiently high and zero otherwise. Even without moral hazard, the contract features pay-for-performance to address fairness concerns and ensure participation. This rationalizes pay-for-performance even if effort incentives are unnecessary.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aerins:v:7:y:2025:i:3:p:306-24
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25