Search
 

Benchmarking of CEO Pay Questioned

Using peer groups to determine executive compensation leads to inflation, a study charges.

By Dave Lindorff | Updated on November 27, 2012
Peer Pay BenchmarkingExecutive compensation and how to determine it remains a hot issue. A recent survey by Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) finds executive pay is the top governance issue cited by institutional investors in both North America and Europe. The issue ranks second after board independence in the Asia-Pacific region and developing markets. Meanwhile, a controversial research paper by the University of Delaware’s John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance claims the standard board practice of using groups of similar companies as a benchmark to determine CEO compensation is unjustified and leads to escalating compensation levels.

Charles Elson, chair of the Weinberg Center and co-author of the study published in August, says the basic premise of using peer-group benchmarking is flawed. It’s not just that selecting the companies to include in a peer group invites manipulation of the results, Elson says. Nor is it that compensation is typically set at the 50th, 70th or 90th percentile found in the peer group, he says, though “that is like Prairie Home Companion saying, ‘All the children are above average.’ It leads to a ratcheting up of all CEO salaries.” 

Rather, Elson argues, the notion that CEOs can easily move to the top position at another company is not accurate. “There is really no external market for CEOs,” he says. “The skills of a chief executive are company-specific, involving experience, the relationships with other managers and executives and the culture of the company, and the odds of a CEO leaving a company over compensation are slim to none.”

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.