Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies

Dapeng Liang; Hengyi Shen; Jiayin Sun; Mengyi Xu

doi:10.2991/978-2-38476-454-9_2

Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies

Dapeng Liang
, Hengyi Shen^*
, Jiayin Sun
, Mengyi Xu

^*Corresponding author for this work

Management

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In an era where technological innovation is a key driver of firm performance, the role of a CEO’s educational background and professional title in shaping this innovation becomes crucial. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining the differential impacts of a CEO’s Science and Engineering (S&E) degree and the title of ‘engineer’ on firm technological innovation, particularly in the context of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Using patent data from 388 Chinese listed companies in the computer industry between 2016 and 2021, we investigate how CEOs with technological expertise influence their firms’ innovation. Our findings reveal that CEOs with an S&E degree exert a more positive impact on technological innovation than those with an ‘engineer’ title. This difference in impact is more pronounced in SOEs. Our study underscores the greater influence of educational background over work experience in innovation decision-making for CEOs. It also highlights potential shortcomings in the professional title system of ‘engineer’, especially within SOEs. These findings have significant implications for firm innovation strategies and talent management, particularly in the context of SOEs.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025)
Editors	Holger Mathias Briel
Publisher	Atlantis Press
Pages	4–11
Number of pages	8
ISBN (Electronic)	9782384764549
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-454-9_2
Publication status	Published - 18 Aug 2025
Event	3rd International Conference on Social Sciences, Economics, Management and Education-workshop on Social Sciences and Education - Ordos, China Duration: 21 May 2025 → 23 May 2025 https://www.sseme.org/2025/

Publication series

Name	Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publisher	Atlantis Press
Volume	951
ISSN (Electronic)	2352-5398

Workshop

Workshop	3rd International Conference on Social Sciences, Economics, Management and Education-workshop on Social Sciences and Education
Abbreviated title	SSEME-SSE 2025
Country/Territory	China
City	Ordos
Period	21/05/25 → 23/05/25
Internet address	https://www.sseme.org/2025/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Keywords

CEO Characteristics
Imprinting
SOE
Technological Innovation
Upper Echelons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Business, Management and Accounting(all)

Access to Document

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Cite this

Liang, D., Shen, H., Sun, J., & Xu, M. (2025). Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies. In H. M. Briel (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025) (pp. 4–11). (Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research; Vol. 951). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-454-9_2

Liang, Dapeng ; Shen, Hengyi ; Sun, Jiayin et al. / Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation : Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies. Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025). editor / Holger Mathias Briel. Atlantis Press, 2025. pp. 4–11 (Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research).

@inproceedings{0f3db16c6ba94c66aba6727e1af2e1d9,

title = "Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S\&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies",

abstract = "In an era where technological innovation is a key driver of firm performance, the role of a CEO{\textquoteright}s educational background and professional title in shaping this innovation becomes crucial. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining the differential impacts of a CEO{\textquoteright}s Science and Engineering (S\&E) degree and the title of {\textquoteleft}engineer{\textquoteright} on firm technological innovation, particularly in the context of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Using patent data from 388 Chinese listed companies in the computer industry between 2016 and 2021, we investigate how CEOs with technological expertise influence their firms{\textquoteright} innovation. Our findings reveal that CEOs with an S\&E degree exert a more positive impact on technological innovation than those with an {\textquoteleft}engineer{\textquoteright} title. This difference in impact is more pronounced in SOEs. Our study underscores the greater influence of educational background over work experience in innovation decision-making for CEOs. It also highlights potential shortcomings in the professional title system of {\textquoteleft}engineer{\textquoteright}, especially within SOEs. These findings have significant implications for firm innovation strategies and talent management, particularly in the context of SOEs.",

keywords = "CEO Characteristics, Imprinting, SOE, Technological Innovation, Upper Echelons",

author = "Dapeng Liang and Hengyi Shen and Jiayin Sun and Mengyi Xu",

year = "2025",

month = aug,

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doi = "10.2991/978-2-38476-454-9\_2",

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publisher = "Atlantis Press",

pages = "4–11",

editor = "Briel, \{Holger Mathias\}",

booktitle = "Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025)",

note = "3rd International Conference on Social Sciences, Economics, Management and Education-workshop on Social Sciences and Education, SSEME-SSE 2025 ; Conference date: 21-05-2025 Through 23-05-2025",

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Liang, D, Shen, H, Sun, J & Xu, M 2025, Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies. in HM Briel (ed.), Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025). Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, vol. 951, Atlantis Press, pp. 4–11, 3rd International Conference on Social Sciences, Economics, Management and Education-workshop on Social Sciences and Education, Ordos, China, 21/05/25. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-454-9_2

Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies. / Liang, Dapeng; Shen, Hengyi; Sun, Jiayin et al.
Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025). ed. / Holger Mathias Briel. Atlantis Press, 2025. p. 4–11 (Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research; Vol. 951).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation

T2 - 3rd International Conference on Social Sciences, Economics, Management and Education-workshop on Social Sciences and Education

AU - Liang, Dapeng

AU - Shen, Hengyi

AU - Sun, Jiayin

AU - Xu, Mengyi

PY - 2025/8/18

Y1 - 2025/8/18

N2 - In an era where technological innovation is a key driver of firm performance, the role of a CEO’s educational background and professional title in shaping this innovation becomes crucial. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining the differential impacts of a CEO’s Science and Engineering (S&E) degree and the title of ‘engineer’ on firm technological innovation, particularly in the context of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Using patent data from 388 Chinese listed companies in the computer industry between 2016 and 2021, we investigate how CEOs with technological expertise influence their firms’ innovation. Our findings reveal that CEOs with an S&E degree exert a more positive impact on technological innovation than those with an ‘engineer’ title. This difference in impact is more pronounced in SOEs. Our study underscores the greater influence of educational background over work experience in innovation decision-making for CEOs. It also highlights potential shortcomings in the professional title system of ‘engineer’, especially within SOEs. These findings have significant implications for firm innovation strategies and talent management, particularly in the context of SOEs.

AB - In an era where technological innovation is a key driver of firm performance, the role of a CEO’s educational background and professional title in shaping this innovation becomes crucial. This study fills a gap in the literature by examining the differential impacts of a CEO’s Science and Engineering (S&E) degree and the title of ‘engineer’ on firm technological innovation, particularly in the context of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Using patent data from 388 Chinese listed companies in the computer industry between 2016 and 2021, we investigate how CEOs with technological expertise influence their firms’ innovation. Our findings reveal that CEOs with an S&E degree exert a more positive impact on technological innovation than those with an ‘engineer’ title. This difference in impact is more pronounced in SOEs. Our study underscores the greater influence of educational background over work experience in innovation decision-making for CEOs. It also highlights potential shortcomings in the professional title system of ‘engineer’, especially within SOEs. These findings have significant implications for firm innovation strategies and talent management, particularly in the context of SOEs.

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KW - SOE

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KW - Upper Echelons

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M3 - Conference contribution

T3 - Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research

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BT - Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025)

A2 - Briel, Holger Mathias

PB - Atlantis Press

Y2 - 21 May 2025 through 23 May 2025

ER -

Liang D, Shen H, Sun J, Xu M. Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies. In Briel HM, editor, Proceedings of the 2025 SSEME workshop on Social Sciences and Education (SSEME-SSE 2025). Atlantis Press. 2025. p. 4–11. (Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research). doi: 10.2991/978-2-38476-454-9_2

Comparing the Impact of CEOs Holding an S&E Degree and Engineer Title on Firm Technological Innovation: Evidence Based on Chinese A-Share Listed Computer Companies

Abstract

Publication series

Workshop

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this