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Women on boards of directors: Why skirts in seats aren’t enough

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  • Fitzsimmons, Stacey R.

Abstract

Most organizations focus their attention on simply achieving gender diversity on their boards. This approach misses the point. A complex relationship exists between board gender diversity and good governance whereby such diversity can have a negative, positive, or neutral impact on organizational performance, indicating that organizations may only reap the benefits of gender-diverse boards under proper conditions. This article examines which conditions allow gender-diverse boards to flourish and which conditions lead to failure. Organizations usually increase female representation on boards of directors to achieve one of two goals: gender parity or improved governance. Each of these goals is influenced by different circumstances and thus must be approached in a unique manner. Three recommendations are offered herein for organizations trying to achieve each goal. Gender, ethnic, and cultural board diversity all share related justifications and challenges, so organizations that follow the recommendations in this article will be well positioned to benefit from all three sources of increased diversity on their boards of directors.

Suggested Citation

  • Fitzsimmons, Stacey R., 2012. "Women on boards of directors: Why skirts in seats aren’t enough," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 55(6), pages 557-566.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:55:y:2012:i:6:p:557-566
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2012.07.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    7. Isabelle Christine Oliveira dos Santos & Tereza Cristina Batista de Lima & Luis Eduardo Brandão Paiva & Davi Sampaio Marques & Elidihara Trigueiro Guimarães, 2021. "Professional Socialization from the Perspective of Female Surgeons: Challenges and Career Achievements," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 25(4), pages 180303-1803.
    8. Víctor Alonso Baldrich Mora, 2019. "Mujeres en juntas directivas en Colombia y su efecto sobre el desempeno financiero de las empresas," Documentos CEDE 17140, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
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    10. Valentina Marano & Steve Sauerwald & Marc Essen, 2022. "The influence of culture on the relationship between women directors and corporate social performance," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 53(7), pages 1315-1342, September.
    11. Nguyen, Tuan & Nguyen, An & Nguyen, Mau & Truong, Thuyen, 2021. "Is national governance quality a key moderator of the boardroom gender diversity–firm performance relationship? International evidence from a multi-hierarchical analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 370-390.
    12. Ana Beatriz Hernández-Lara & Juan Pablo Gonzales-Bustos & Amado Alarcón-Alarcón, 2021. "Social Sustainability on Corporate Boards: The Effects of Female Family Members on R&D," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-13, February.
    13. Mui, Rachel & Parker, Owen & Titus, Varkey, 2022. "Merit versus maleness: How strategic positioning can mitigate external gender bias," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 65(4), pages 427-436.
    14. Romlah Jaffar & Nor Asyiqin Abu & Mohamat Sabri Hassan & Mohd Mohid Rahmat, 2023. "Value Relevance of Board Attributes: The Mediating Role of Key Audit Matter," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-21, February.
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