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Board and management gender diversity and financial performance of microfinance institutions

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  • Michael Adusei
  • Samuel Yaw Akomea
  • Kwasi Poku

Abstract

We investigate board and management gender diversity issues in the microfinance setting with data (2010–2014) drawn from 494 microfinance institutions across 76 countries. We find that board gender diversity positively predicts management gender diversity. On the effects of board and management gender diversity on the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs), we find that whereas board gender diversity is negatively and significantly related to MFI financial performance, management gender diversity is negatively but insignificantly related to MFI financial performance. We show that 50% or higher diversity in either board or management is the threshold at which gender diversity is productive to MFIs. However, danger exists that an MFI that combines 50% or higher female representation on its board with 50% or higher female representation on its management team is likely to experience a tumble in its financial performance. The overall effect of these outcomes is that the push for more female representation on boards and management teams of MFIs should be done with a lot of tact and circumspection.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Adusei & Samuel Yaw Akomea & Kwasi Poku, 2017. "Board and management gender diversity and financial performance of microfinance institutions," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 1360030-136, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oabmxx:v:4:y:2017:i:1:p:1360030
    DOI: 10.1080/23311975.2017.1360030
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    1. Farzan Yahya & Ghulam Abbas & Ammar Ahmed & Muhammad Sadiq Hashmi, 2020. "Restrictive and Supportive Mechanisms for Female Directors’ Risk-Averse Behavior: Evidence From South Asian Health Care Industry," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, October.
    2. Md Aslam Mia & Lucia Dalla Pellegrina & Wai‐Yan Wong, 2022. "Female participation and financial performance of microfinance institutions: Evidence from transition economies," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(5), September.
    3. Felipe Arenas-Torres & Miguel Bustamante-Ubilla & Roberto Campos-Troncoso, 2021. "Diversity of the Board of Directors and Financial Performance of the Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Sari Pekkala Kerr & William R. Kerr, 2021. "Whose Job Is It Anyway? Coethnic Hiring in New US Ventures," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(1), pages 86-127.
    5. Felipe Arenas-Torres & Miguel Bustamante-Ubilla & Valentín Santander-Ramírez & Pedro Severino-González, 2022. "Diversity and Governance: Is There Really Progress?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, April.
    6. Zamore, Stephen, 2018. "Should microfinance institutions diversify or focus? A global analysis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 105-119.
    7. Anna Wieczorek-Szymańska, 2020. "Gender Diversity in Academic Sector—Case Study," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-20, July.

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