The influence of CEO’s characteristics on ESG rating and efficiency of gold mining companies

This study examines the role of the CEO in implementing ESG policy, which results in the growth of ESG rating and improving the efficiency of gold mining companies. The research analyses the indicators of CEO power, such as: the amount of CEO remuneration; the share of company stocks owned by him; the term of office. The general index of CEO authority is derived by combining individual characteristics. The methodology used is an econometric analysis of panel data on 36 of the world's largest public gold mining companies for the period from 2015 to 2020. The efficiency of gold mining companies is measured using a market indicator — Tobins'Q, which allows you to make a decision about investing in an enterprise aimed at sustainable development. Gold mining companies successfully implement ESG projects and become a full-fledged object for investment. The results of the study show that ESG rating and its three components (environmental, social and managerial) have a positive impact on the market efficiency of gold mining companies. Of the considered characteristics of CEOs, two of them — the amount of CEO remuneration and the percentage of shares ownership, have a positive impact on the market efficiency of companies. The term of office does not have a significant impact on the effectiveness of companies. The overall indicator of authority contributed to the increase in efficiency due to two characteristics. If we consider the CEO as an intermediary between investing in ESG projects and increasing the company's efficiency, it turned out that only an influential CEO, characterized by a high amount of remuneration, can contribute to increasing the ESG rating and improving the company's market efficiency. The findings illustrate the peculiarities of the influence of the CEO's characteristics on the performance of gold mining companies, taking into account the principles of ESG. The results of the study will improve corporate governance of gold mining companies to ensure the growth of performance indicators, taking into account the specificity of the industry and its focus on sustainable development.

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