Directors' Assessment of Changes in Board Key Functioning and Dynamics in the Wake of Gender Quota

Audur Arna Arnardottir, Olaf Sigurjonsson

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This paper utilizes resource dependency, agency, and status expectations theory lenses to explore how increased gender diversity on corporate boards, due to gender quota legislation, affected the post-quota perceptions of active board directors regarding board key functioning and board dynamics. Results show, that the initial attitude towards gender quotas was more negative among male directors than female directors but became more similar and positive over time. Strongest support is found for increased female board participation leading to stronger decision making and discussion of different perspectives around the board table according to directors, in addition to more effective monitoring. Participants further remark that visual female participation on the board has led to more positive company image in the eyes of various stakeholders and improved corporate culture. Consistent with status expectation theory, male directors are more negative than their female counterparts about the short-term effects of increased female participation on board dynamics.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2018
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventThe 18th European Academy of Management Conference (EURAM) 2018: Research in Action – Accelerating knowledge creation in management - Reykjavik, Iceland
Duration: 19 Jun 201822 Jun 2018
http://euramonline.org/annual-conference-2018

Conference

ConferenceThe 18th European Academy of Management Conference (EURAM) 2018
Country/TerritoryIceland
CityReykjavik
Period19/06/201822/06/2018
Internet address

Keywords

  • Gender diversity
  • Quota
  • Board dynamics

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