Women on boards and efficiency in a business‐orientated environment

Abstract

This study proposes a new research approach to examining the relationship between board diversity in terms of gender differences and corporate performance, measured by technical efficiency. Moreover, this paper also examines the moderating role that institutional factors exert on this relationship through the cultural dimensions of the country of origin. The research questions are examined using an international sample of 2185 listed firms from 2006 to 2015, applying several truncated regression models for panel data and employing data envelopment analysis to examine efficiency as a measure of performance. This paper provides support for the assertion that female directors decrease the firm's technical efficiency; however, in more economically orientated cultures, institutional context exerts a moderating effect on the latter. The female directors of companies located in countries with higher economically orientated values adopt male stereotypes and have a significant and positive interest in improving efficiency.

Do independent, female and specialist directors promote eco‐innovation and eco‐design in agri‐food firms?

“…In this sense, given the complexity of proactive environmental strategies as they require adaptations throughout the production process that involve large investments and high costs in the short term, and the economic benefits that will only materialize in the long term, the presence of women on the board that approves these strategies is indispensable for implementing eco‐innovation and eco‐design activities. In addition, it should be borne in mind that complex innovation activities require collaborative behaviour rather than competitive behaviour and environments that can encourage female directors, because their leadership style is more cooperative, inspiring, empathetic and geared towards change (De Marchi, 2012; Horbach, Oltra, & Belin, 2013; Uribe‐Bohorquez, Martínez‐Ferrero, & García‐Sánchez, 2019). Therefore, we propose the following hypothesis:H2 The higher the proportion of female directors, the higher the level of implementation of eco‐innovation and eco‐design strategies.…”

Sustainability – A key to Australian finance directors improving their organisation's CSR culture

“…Within the Australian context, there has been a focus on governance, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and small-to-medium sized organisations (Beck, Frost, & Jones, 2018;Lane & Devin, 2018;Sheedy, 2016;Stewart & Gapp, 2014). Across all regions, including Australia, there is an increasing focus on the role of board diversity and corporate governance (Furlotti, Mazza, Tibiletti, & Triani, 2018;Galbreath, 2011;Manning, Braam, & Reimsbach, 2019;Setó-Pamies, 2015;Uribe-Bohorquez, Martínez-Ferrero, & García-Sánchez, 2018). As yet, there has not been field research into board directors CSR subculture in Australia, or other regions.…”

Cultural dimensions, Global Reporting Initiatives commitment, and corporate social responsibility issues: New evidence from Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development banks

“…Among other models (e.g., GLOBE), the culture could be analyzed along with Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory (Hofstede, , ; Hofstede et al, ). Prior literature identified the Hofstede's cultural dimensions as the key determinant of CSR disclosure (Hur & Kim, ; Hussainey, Khlif, & Achek, ; Orij, ; Uribe‐Bohorquez, Martínez‐Ferrero, & García‐Sánchez, ). However, authors are aware that no study was conducted on the issue of cultural determinants of banks' CSR disclosure.…”