Avoiding Bad Press: Interpersonal Influence in Relations Between CEOs and Journalists and the Consequences for Press Reporting About Firms and Their Leadership

In this study we consider how and when interpersonal relations between chief executive officers (CEOs) and journalists can influence the content of journalists' reporting about corporate leaders and their firms. Specifically, we draw from the social psychological literature on interpersonal influence and social exchange to suggest (i) how the disclosure of relatively low corporate earnings may prompt the CEO to engage in ingratiatory behavior...