Do the Generational Cohorts of CEOs Influence Corporate Travel Emissions?

ABSTRACT According to Mannheim's generational theory, each generation exhibits unique attitudes that shape its behaviour. This paper suggests that a CEO's generational background can shape their environmental views, which, in turn, influence the company's business travel policies. Using econometric models and data from 347 firms in 31 countries, the study tests this idea. Results show that companies led by Millennials or Generation X CEOs tend to produce fewer emissions from business trips compared to those led by Baby Boomer CEOs. However, this effect is influenced by CEO tenure: Longer tenure is associated with lower travel emissions. Overall, the data indicate that a CEO's age is positively related to higher business travel emissions.