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Women representation on boards: a South African perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Gizelle Willows
  • Megan van der Linde

Abstract

Purpose - By looking at both theoretical and empirical findings, this study aims to investigate whether gender diversity results in improved corporate governance and financial performance for companies. Design/methodology/approach - An analysis of the board composition of the Johannesburg Securities Exchange Top 40 companies as at 30 June 2013 and a comparison of the financial performance of the company were conducted. Findings - Female directors were found to make up, on average, 18.78 per cent of the board of directors, with the majority of these women being in non-executive positions. Women representation appears to influence company performance positively when using accounting-based measures of performance (such as return on assets and return on equity), but negatively when using market-based measures (such as Tobin’s Q). The critical mass concept is also assessed and is found to have a positive effect. Originality/value - These findings are of relevance to the boards of directors adhering to corporate governance requirements by challenging the role of women on the board of directors, as well as that of investors and those in practice, to understand the current status of women representation.

Suggested Citation

  • Gizelle Willows & Megan van der Linde, 2016. "Women representation on boards: a South African perspective," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(2), pages 211-225, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:medarp:v:24:y:2016:i:2:p:211-225
    DOI: 10.1108/MEDAR-01-2016-0001
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Salehudin Eka Saputra Alrasidi, ST, 2018. "Gender-Diversity, Financial Performance and Cash Holding in Family Firms," GATR Journals afr165, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    2. Mayimele, Nsovo & Demana, Patrick & Keele, Mothobi, 2023. "Perceptions of Board Members on the Presence of Pharmacists as Strategic Leaders of Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Companies Operating in South Africa: A Qualitative Study," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 7(2), pages 87-98.
    3. Audney Mashele & Marise Mouton & Lydia Pelcher, 2024. "Corporate Governance and Financial Performance: Family Firms vs. Non-Family Firms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-18, October.

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