We examine the central prediction of the pecking order theory of financing among firms in two distinct life cycle stages, namely growth and maturity. In general, we find that firms in both stages follow the pecking order. More specifically, we find that within a life cycle stage and after...

We identify firms according to two life cycle stages, namely growth and maturity, and test the pecking order theory of financing. We find a strong maturity effect, i.e. the pecking order theory describes the financing behavior of mature firms better than growth firms. Our findings show that firm...

We investigate the relationship between CEO performance pay incentives and firm productivity. In general, we find an inverse U-shaped relationship between productivity and the sensitivity of CEO wealth to share value (delta) and a positive relationship between productivity and the sensitivity of...