Author(s)

Zhihan Liu

Corresponding Author

Zhihan Liu

ABSTRACT

Improving the total factor productivity of enterprises is of great significance to promoting the high-quality development of China's economy. This paper takes the Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2020 as a sample, and studies the relationship between CEO education and total factor productivity. The study found that CEO education is positively correlated with total factor productivity of enterprises, highly educated CEOs can help companies improve total factor productivity, and management ability weakens the positive correlation between the two. Further research finds that the level of innovation plays a complete mediating role, and the promotion effect of CEO education on the total factor productivity of enterprises is more significant in non-high-tech enterprises and mature enterprises. The research conclusions corroborate the conclusion that CEO personal characteristics have an important influence on enterprise operation in "High-level Echelon Theory" and "Branding Theory", and at the same time provide a new reference and basis for future enterprise managers' appointment decisions and improving enterprise total factor productivity.

KEYWORDS

CEO education, total factor productivity, management ability, innovation level