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CEO likeability: effects on analyst recommendations

James Van Scotter & Dustin Bluhm

Journal of Strategy and Management2026https://doi.org/10.1108/jsma-04-2025-0131article
AJG 1ABDC B
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

Purpose This study introduces CEO likeability, distinguishes it from charisma and personality, and assesses its effect on analyst stock recommendations. Design/methodology/approach We define CEO likeability as an other-rated, positive valence attribution about the degree to which a CEO's characteristics and behaviors are considered pleasant or favorable. We assessed its effect on analyst recommendations with a sample of 75 CEOs and through the use of video-based assessment. Findings CEO likeability was a significant predictor of favorable analyst ratings (p < 0.001). Further, multilevel mediation analyses offer evidence that CEO likability mediates the relationships between CEO charisma and analyst recommendations and between CEO openness and analyst recommendations. Originality/value CEO likeability is a promising construct for strategic leadership research, and can be evaluated using a video-based behavioral assessment method.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jsma-04-2025-0131

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@article{james2026,
  title        = {{CEO likeability: effects on analyst recommendations}},
  author       = {James Van Scotter & Dustin Bluhm},
  journal      = {Journal of Strategy and Management},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jsma-04-2025-0131},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.