RESUMO O narcisismo (NARC) em executivos seniores exerce um impacto perceptível nas decisões e estratégias corporativas e é frequentemente associado a comportamentos antiéticos e oportunistas, incluindo o tax avoidance (TA). Neste estudo, avaliamos, portanto, a associação entre o NARC do chief executive officer (CEO) e o TA em empresas brasileiras de capital aberto. Ao focar no Brasil, uma economia emergente regulamentada por legislação codificada, nossa investigação realiza uma importante contribuição à literatura contábil sobre o TA. A maioria dos estudos que examinam a relação entre o TA corporativo e os traços de personalidade do CEO foi realizada em países que adotam o common law. De acordo com a literatura, os comportamentos de TA são influenciados pelas especificidades do sistema tributário. Além disso, o nível de desenvolvimento econômico do país de origem deve ser levado em consideração na quantificação do TA corporativo. Essas observações e a ausência de investigações anteriores com foco no Brasil reforçam a relevância do estudo. Nosso estudo também oferece às autoridades tributárias, auditores e investidores ferramentas para a identificação de comportamentos narcisistas preditivos de TA corporativo, os quais podem exigir medidas de precaução por parte dos parceiros de negócios. A amostra foi composta por 68 empresas brasileiras de capital aberto (382 observações), abrangendo o período entre 2010 e 2017, e foi utilizado um modelo de regressão robusto com dados em painel. O TA e o NARC foram medidos com dados secundários, de acordo com a literatura. Nossos resultados mostram uma correlação positiva entre o NARC do CEO e o TA. Executivos com esse traço de personalidade parecem ousados ou agressivos, portanto mais propensos a adotar estratégias de TA, como confirmado no presente estudo. O estudo contribui para a literatura ao demonstrar como um transtorno de personalidade como o NARC afeta as políticas de tributos das empresas, com danos potenciais à reputação corporativa.

ABSTRACT Narcissism (NARC) in senior executives has a perceptible impact on corporate decision-making and strategies and is often associated with unethical and opportunistic behaviors, including tax avoidance (TA). In this study, we therefore evaluated the association between chief executive officer (CEO) NARC and TA in Brazilian public firms. By focusing on Brazil, an emerging economy regulated by code law, our investigation makes an important contribution to the accounting literature on TA. Most studies examining the relation between corporate TA and CEO personality profile have been conducted in common law countries. According to the literature, TA behaviors are influenced by tax system specifics. In addition, the home country’s level of economic development should be taken into account when quantifying corporate TA. These observations, and the lack of previous investigation focusing on Brazil, ratify the relevance of the study. Our study also provides tax authorities, auditors, and investors with tools to identify narcissistic behaviors predictive of corporate TA, which may demand precautionary measures on part of business partners. The sample consisted of 68 Brazilian public firms (382 observations), covering the period 2010-2017, and a robust regression model with panel data was used. TA and NARC were measured with secondary data according to the literature. Our findings show a positive correlation between CEO NARC and TA. Executives with this personality trait come across as bold or aggressive, thus more prone to adopt TA strategies, as confirmed in the present study. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how a personality disorder like NARC affects corporate tax policies, with potential damage to corporate reputation.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify sociodemographic factors that are predictive of the level of everyday sadism (SAD) in the business area. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted on 424 graduate and postgraduate students from business schools in Brazil and the USA. SAD was quantified by the assessment of sadistic personality proposed by Plouffe Saklofske and Smith (2017). The variables included age, gender, managing experience, education and nationality. Findings The average level of SAD was low. SAD was negatively associated with gender, age and nationality and positively associated with managing experience and education. Practical implications As individuals ascend professionally and academically, they display higher levels of everyday sadism. Depending on the context, dark personalities can cause either benefit or harm to the company's business and to society. However, the literature shows that seeking pleasure and dominance with no regard for consequences affects the business area directly or indirectly. Originality/value Very few studies have addressed everyday sadism in the business area, let alone evaluated predictive factors and discussed possible implications.

Abstract In view of the influence of corporate reputation on investors' choices and risk concerns, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between corporate reputation and bankruptcy risk in public firms. The investigation is a contribution to the burgeoning literature on corporate reputation associated with accounting, despite reputation being classified as an intangible asset capable of generating competitive advantage. Our sample included 4,578 observations (441 firms) covering the period 2005-2016. The overall score on the World's Most Admired Companies ranking was used as a proxy for reputation. Bankruptcy risk was quantified by Altman Z-scores (Zang, 2012) and accounting information for each year in the period was retrieved from the database Compustat Global. Our results reveal that corporate reputation has a negative influence on bankruptcy risk, reiterating the importance of risk management. When firms attract and strive to secure the favor of stakeholders, they increase risk for the same reason. However, this effect is counterbalanced by good reputation. Thus, corporate reputation is a valuable strategic resource with which managers can boost confidence among investors, increase the firm's credit worthiness and perpetuate the organization on the market. Furthermore, these results expand the literature on corporate reputation and risk of bankruptcy, and show signs that companies with high reputation have lower risk of bankruptcy and tend to honor their debts.