Okah-Avae, Tobore and Milman, David and Lawton, Philip (2019) High executive compensation : are current pay levels evidence of avarice or just reward for performance? PhD thesis, Lancaster University.
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Abstract
The primary objective of the thesis is to examine high executive pay trends in the AngloAmerican corporate system, in terms of its fairness and justice. Given that there is no objective standard for fair pay for executives, analysing the fairness of current pay trends would involve an examination on two levels: first, by looking at the pay setting process and possible irregularities within the latter which could compromise the integrity of the process as well as the outcome. Secondly, by putting high executive pay in a wider social context, an analysis against a background of wider income distribution. With respect to the latter, the thesis shows a causal relationship between high executive compensation and income inequality; the increase at the top end of the income distribution scale, could be attributable to the stagnation at the lower rungs. Considering the irregularities in the pay determination process and its role in income inequality, the thesis concludes that Anglo-American executive pay, at these levels, is unjust and in need of reform to enhance its fairness.