Abstract: This thesis presents a precise definition of executive ability: executive ability is a talent for efficient decision-making and effective decisions execution by those concerned. On the basis of literature review, the theoretical model of corporate executive ability is established, with the hypothesis that the five structural variables including strategy-oriented, institution-oriented, culture-oriented, motivation-oriented and competence-oriented generate significant influence on corporate executive ability. The investigation through questionnaires on 12 China’s nuclear power corporations has empirically verified the theoretical model. The results suggest that corporate executive ability（CEA） is greatly influenced by six variables, namely Organizational Learning, Organizational Structure, Corporate Values, Performance Management, Marketing and Human Relations. The t test and analysis of variance prove that differences in individual and organizational characteristics will produce significant differences in cognition of the independent and dependent variables, which establishes the theoretical foundation for relevant management measures to improve CEA.

Key words: corporate executive ability , structural variables, individual characteristics, organizational characteristics