Multiple large shareholders and pay-performance sensitivity: Evidence from China

This study investigates whether and how multiple large shareholders affect pay-performance sensitivity. Our findings suggest that multiple large shareholders can enhance pay-performance sensitivity by improving the efficacy of compensation committees and reducing inefficient investments. Further analysis reveals that this positive governance effect is more pronounced in firms with more severe agency problems, weaker external governance mechanisms, and higher accounting comparability. We also find that the impact of multiple large shareholders on pay-performance sensitivity is more significant in state-owned enterprises, where corporate governance is often deficient due to government’ multifaceted objectives and limited oversight of managers. Overall, this study contributes to existing literature by enriching the research on ownership structure and pay-performance sensitivity, and offering new insights into the governance dynamics associated with multiple large shareholders within the context of compensation contracting.