Chair narcissism and CEO remuneration. The influence of gender diversity

Master's Thesis from the year 2023 in the subject Leadership and Human Resources - Management Styles, grade: 1,3, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, language: English, abstract: Does narcissism, a common trait among leaders, influence CEO compensation? This study explores the impact of board gender diversity on the relationship between board chair narcissism and CEO compensation. Recognizing the board's crucial role in compensation decisions, it extends previous research primarily focused on CEO traits. Using S&P 500 Index data from 2008 to 2018, the study tests two hypotheses: first, that board chair narcissism negatively affects CEO compensation (H1), and second, that board gender diversity positively moderates this relationship (H2). Although statistical significance was not attained for both hypotheses, the findings align with initial expectations and shed light on the intricate dynamics at play, while also indicating directions for future research. Consequently, this study contributes to the burgeoning field at the intersection of psychology and corporate governance, enhancing our comprehension of CEO compensation as well as gender diversity within boardrooms.