Replacing Top Managers in the world’s largest firms: the context shapes successor characteristics

You are cordially invited to attend an IBS lunchtime research seminar by Mads Emil Wedell-Wedesllsborg, Henley Business School, UK. Please join us in Room 108, Henley Business School. If you have not received the email invite please email Angie Clark.

Please note: Lunch and refreshments will be provided. It is important that you confirm if you are attending in person to ensure enough catering is supplied on the day. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible.

Title: Replacing Top Managers in the world’s largest firms: the context shapes successor characteristics

Date: Wednesday 18^th January 2023

Time: 13.00 – 14.15pm

Teams – A Teams link to the seminar is included for those who cannot attend in person, however attendance in person is preferred.

Abstract:

This paper empirically investigates non-CEO top management replacements in the world’s largest firms. By utilising a sample of carefully matched direct replacements (predecessor-successor links) in Fortune 500 Global firms between 2015 and 2021, the paper tests how new top management team (TMT) entrants compare with the immediate predecessor and the incumbent team based on their international background experience. The results indicate that MNEs refit their TMTs according to changes in the firm’s contextual environment. Through a multilevel model, we find that the predecessor’s nationality and tenure, relative firm performance and degree of internationalisation impact the international experience of the successor. The findings have important theoretical and empirical implications for top management succession research and the role of managers in International Business.