Zhou Ping, Zhao Yujie, Zhao Kangsheng
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education Research Center, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, China.
School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
Front Psychol. 2022 May 3;13:855316. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.855316. eCollection 2022.
Firm internationalization is a great challenge that needs a strong leader because of the uncertainty involved. Previous research has examined the antecedents of firm internationalization from the perspective of upper echelons theory, including chief executive officer (CEO) or top management team (TMT) characteristics, yet little research has examined the role of CEO early-life adversity experiences. Based on the imprinting theory and upper echelons theory, this study explores the relationship between CEO early-life adversity experience and firm internationalization. Using data from Chinese listed companies during the period 2007-2017, we demonstrate that CEO early-life adversity experiences have a significantly positive effect on firm internationalization; the effect is stronger when the CEO with early-life adversity has a higher level of organization discretion and institutional discretion. The findings are robust to a battery of alternative variable definitions and estimation methods. We contribute to upper echelons theory and the research on internationalization antecedents by showing that CEO early-life adversity has a positive effect on firm internationalization. The findings suggest boards aspiring to expand internationally place weight on candidates' early-life experiences while selecting and hiring CEOs and confer them managerial discretion to better play their strength after CEO's appointment decision is made.
由于存在不确定性，企业国际化是一项巨大的挑战，需要强有力的领导者。以往的研究从高层梯队理论的角度考察了企业国际化的前因，包括首席执行官（CEO）或高层管理团队（TMT）的特征，但很少有研究考察CEO早年的逆境经历所起的作用。基于烙印理论和高层梯队理论，本研究探讨了CEO早年的逆境经历与企业国际化之间的关系。利用2007-2017年中国上市公司的数据，我们证明CEO早年的逆境经历对企业国际化有显著的正向影响；当具有早年逆境经历的CEO拥有更高水平的组织自主权和制度自主权时，这种影响更强。这些发现对于一系列替代变量定义和估计方法来说是稳健的。我们通过表明CEO早年的逆境经历对企业国际化有积极影响，为高层梯队理论和国际化前因的研究做出了贡献。研究结果表明，渴望进行国际扩张的董事会在选拔和聘用CEO时，会重视候选人的早年经历，并赋予他们管理自主权，以便在做出CEO任命决定后能更好地发挥其优势。
