IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/wrk/wrkesp/07.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

Does boardroom diversity impact the financial performance of FTSE 350 firms?

Author

Listed:
  • Corniciuc, Iarina

    (University of Warwick)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of diversity on a firm's financial performance, a topic which requires more research due to the fast changes in boardroom composition and the inconclusive previous literature. The main analysis utilises panel data with a fixed effect model to examine FTSE 350 UK firms between 2001 and 2020. Results show that the percent of females is positively and significantly correlated with the two firm performance variables, Tobin's Q and ROA. Initial results also show that a higher count of nationalities have a positive and significant impact on firm performance. These results are in line with various theories which state that diverse groups are found to be more innovative as they cover a wider range of knowledge. The paper provides empirical proof of token theory, which states that gender diversity below a threshold of 15% has a negative impact on a firm's performance. This could be due to being perceived as a minority causing isolation, which in turn impacts performance. Results also show that the critical mass point, where most benefits are reaped in the relationship, lies at 40% and above female directors. This is in line with the proposed EU directive of a quota of 40% female directors.Â

Suggested Citation

  • Corniciuc, Iarina, 2021. "Does boardroom diversity impact the financial performance of FTSE 350 firms?," Warwick-Monash Economics Student Papers 07, Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:wrkesp:07
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/wmesp/manage/7_-_iarina_corniciuc.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joshua D. Angrist & Alan B. Krueger, 2001. "Instrumental Variables and the Search for Identification: From Supply and Demand to Natural Experiments," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 15(4), pages 69-85, Fall.
    2. Geoffrey C. Kiel & Gavin J. Nicholson, 2003. "Board Composition and Corporate Performance: how the Australian experience informs contrasting theories of corporate governance," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(3), pages 189-205, July.
    3. Ernest Gyapong & Reza M. Monem & Fang Hu, 2016. "Do Women and Ethnic Minority Directors Influence Firm Value? Evidence from Post-Apartheid South Africa," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3-4), pages 370-413, March.
    4. Jan Luca Pletzer & Romina Nikolova & Karina Karolina Kedzior & Sven Constantin Voelpel, 2015. "Does Gender Matter? Female Representation on Corporate Boards and Firm Financial Performance - A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Gustafson, Joseph L., 2008. "Tokenism in policing: An empirical test of Kanter's hypothesis," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 1-10, March.
    6. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    7. Freeman, R. Edward, 1994. "The Politics of Stakeholder Theory: Some Future Directions1," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(4), pages 409-421, October.
    8. repec:fth:prinin:455 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Mariateresa Torchia & Andrea Calabrò & Morten Huse, 2011. "Women Directors on Corporate Boards: From Tokenism to Critical Mass," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 102(2), pages 299-317, August.
    10. Adams, Renée B. & Ferreira, Daniel, 2009. "Women in the boardroom and their impact on governance and performance," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(2), pages 291-309, November.
    11. Kenneth R. Ahern & Amy K. Dittmar, 2012. "The Changing of the Boards: The Impact on Firm Valuation of Mandated Female Board Representation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 127(1), pages 137-197.
    12. Farrell, Kathleen A. & Hersch, Philip L., 2005. "Additions to corporate boards: the effect of gender," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 11(1-2), pages 85-106, March.
    13. Joshua Angrist & Alan Krueger, 2001. "Instrumental Variables and the Search for Identification: From Supply and Demand to Natural Experiments," Working Papers 834, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    14. Val Singh & Susan Vinnicombe, 2004. "Why So Few Women Directors in Top UK Boardrooms? Evidence and Theoretical Explanations," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(4), pages 479-488, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vincenzo Scafarto & Federica Ricci & Elisabetta Magnaghi & Salvatore Ferri, 2021. "Board structure and intellectual capital efficiency: does the family firm status matter?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(3), pages 841-878, September.
    2. Neji Al-Eid Omri & Abdulhameed Mohanna Alfaleh, 2024. "The effects of boardroom gender diversity on corporate performance: empirical evidence from a sample of European listed companies," Business Economics, Palgrave Macmillan;National Association for Business Economics, vol. 59(2), pages 86-100, April.
    3. 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.
    4. Rey Dang & Anne Françoise Bender & Marie José Scotto, 2014. "Women on French Corporate Board of Directors: How Do They Differ from their Male Counterparts?," Working Papers 2014-54, Department of Research, Ipag Business School.
    5. Aitzaz Ahsan Alias Sarang & Nicolas Aubert & Xavier Hollandts, 2024. "Board gender diversity and the cost of equity: What difference does gender quota legislation make?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(2), pages 2193-2213, April.
    6. Nguyen, Thi Hong Hanh & Ntim, Collins G. & Malagila, John K., 2020. "Women on corporate boards and corporate financial and non-financial performance: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Réal Labelle & Claude Francoeur & Faten Lakhal, 2015. "To Regulate Or Not To Regulate? Early Evidence on the Means Used Around the World to Promote Gender Diversity in the Boardroom," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(4), pages 339-363, July.
    8. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-054 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Nguyen, Tuan & Locke, Stuart & Reddy, Krishna, 2014. "A dynamic estimation of governance structures and financial performance for Singaporean companies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 1-11.
    10. Sanjukta Brahma & Chioma Nwafor & Agyenim Boateng, 2021. "Board gender diversity and firm performance: The UK evidence," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(4), pages 5704-5719, October.
    11. repec:ipg:wpaper:201413 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Goh, Lisa & Gupta, Aditi, 2016. "Remuneration of non-executive directors: Evidence from the UK," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 379-399.
    13. Laura Cabeza-García & Esther B. Brío & Carlos Rueda, 2021. "The moderating effect of innovation on the gender and performance relationship in the outset of the gender revolution," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 755-778, April.
    14. Aruoriwo Marian Chijoke-Mgbame & Agyenim Boateng & Chijoke Oscar Mgbame, 2020. "Board gender diversity, audit committee and financial performance: evidence from Nigeria," Accounting Forum, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(3), pages 262-286, July.
    15. Huang, Yichu & Fang, Feifei & Fan, Yaoyao & Ly, Kim Cuong, 2024. "Do ‘Lehman Sisters’ work in China? Women on boards and bank risk," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    16. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-450 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Fan, Yaoyao & Jiang, Yuxiang & Zhang, Xuezhi & Zhou, Yue, 2019. "Women on boards and bank earnings management: From zero to hero," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 1-1.
    18. Orhun Guldiken & Mark R. Mallon & Stav Fainshmidt & William Q. Judge & Cynthia E. Clark, 2019. "Beyond tokenism: How strategic leaders influence more meaningful gender diversity on boards of directors," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(12), pages 2024-2046, December.
    19. Milagros Gutiérrez-Fernández & Yakira Fernández-Torres, 2020. "Does Gender Diversity Influence Business Efficiency? An Analysis from the Social Perspective of CSR," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Fabrizio Rossi & Richard J. Cebula & James R. Barth, 2018. "Female representation in the boardroom and firm debt: empirical evidence from Italy," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 42(2), pages 315-338, April.
    21. Angelo A. Unite & Michael J. Sullivan & Ailyn A. Shi, 2019. "Board Diversity and Performance of Philippine Firms: Do Women Matter?," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 25(1), pages 65-78, February.
    22. Aguir, Iness & Boubakri, Narjess & Marra, Miriam & Zhu, Lu, 2023. "Gender diversity in leadership: Empirical evidence on firm credit risk," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    23. Baghdadi, Ghasan A. & Safiullah, Md & Heyden, Mariano L.M., 2023. "Do gender diverse boards enhance managerial ability?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    G34 ; G38 ; J15 ; J16 ; J48 JEL Classification: Corporate Governance ; Board Diversity ; Critical Mass Theory ; Token Theory ; Performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J48 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Particular Labor Markets; Public Policy

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wrk:wrkesp:07. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Margaret Nash (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/dewaruk.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.