Pilot CEOs and Corporate Cash Holdings

Abstract

This study examines the effect of a personality trait exhibited by pilot chief executive officers (CEOs), that is, situation awareness, on corporate cash policies. Our results show that firms led by pilot CEOs are more likely to hold higher levels of cash for firms with higher growth opportunities and greater firm risks. The findings suggest that pilot CEOs have greater situation awareness and are more likely to plan ahead to cope with future liquidity needs. We also find that the strength of their situation awareness is associated with pilot certification levels but does not change between the pre- and post-certification periods.