Second-order effects of CEO characteristics: Howrivals' perceptions of CEOs as submissive andprovocative precipitate competitive attacks
We articulate how CEOs posses-sing certain psychological, behavioral, and social charac-teristics may unknowingly precipitate competitive attackson their firms. Our explanation integrates insights fromvictimology which explain how individuals are subject tomore attacks if they possess characteristics others perceiveas more submissive or more provocative. While priorresearch articulates that CEOs’ characteristics affect deci-sions such as attacking rivals, integrating theories of vic-timization into this line of inquiry paints a more socializedview of why firms may be subject to competitive attacksas well. The logic and evidence we provide advances the-oretical explanations of firms’ competitive behaviors andexecutives’ roles therein. At the same time, providingknowledge about how CEO characteristics precipitate competitive actions toward their firms can aid in preven-tion and intervention strategies.
