New\u00a0research\u00a0finds that 68% of South African business owners believe that executives at large public companies are paid too much.<\/p>\n
This sentiment is shared by global and BRIC counterparts, which scored 66% and 70%, respectively.<\/p>\n
This is according to a global survey of 2,800 public and private businesses in 40 countries, which took place in May and June 2012 as part of the Grant Thornton International Business Report survey.<\/p>\n
Last month, it was revealed that new Yahoo chief executive, Marissa Mayer\u2019s compensation package could total more than $70 million in salary, bonuses, restricted stock and stock options over five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsensus from business leaders around the globe is that executive compensation is too high, which pinpoints an important issue amidst challenging global economic circumstances,\u201d said Jeanette Hern, partner and head of corporate finance at Grant Thornton South Africa.<\/p>\n
The survey revealed business leaders\u2019 need for greater oversight, transparency and accountability in public companies from both a local and global standpoint.<\/p>\n
Separation of roles was also of considerable concern globally, with 90% of South African respondents saying that the roles of CEO and Chairman should be held by different people to ensure greater oversight, compared to 80% globally and 88% in BRIC countries.<\/p>\n
For each question in the survey, South Africa scored higher than its global and BRIC counterparts, highlighting local business leaders\u2019 significant concern over insufficient oversight measures and issues related to executive remuneration.<\/p>\n
As many as 85% of South African business leaders agreed that shareholders should have greater involvement in establishing remuneration policies for senior executives at public companies, well ahead of the global response of 67%.<\/p>\n
Again, most South Africans responded \u201cyes\u201d when asked whether large public companies should disclose the remuneration policy and individual remuneration of directors (87%), ten percent higher than the global average.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestors have been hurt by the crises and tough global economic conditions characterising the past five years,\u201d said Hern, \u201cThey want to know how their money is being spent and whether executives\u2019 remuneration is in line with performance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nearly all of the South African respondents (96%) believe that executive pay should be directly linked to performance, compared to almost 90% globally and 92% in BRIC nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn South Africa and abroad, public companies will face growing scrutiny from the community, investors and industry. These businesses need to ensure that their policies are known, understood and transparent, and that reward can be justified by performance,\u201d Hern\u00a0concluded.<\/p>\n
Related article<\/strong><\/p>\n Mayer earning up to $70 million at Yahoo<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n