The Corporate Board Glass Ceiling: The Role of Empowerment and Culture in Shaping Board Gender Diversity

Krista B. Lewellyn () and Maureen I. Muller-Kahle ()
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Krista B. Lewellyn: Florida Southern College
Maureen I. Muller-Kahle: The Pennsylvania State University

Journal of Business Ethics, 2020, vol. 165, issue 2, No 10, 329-346

Abstract: Abstract In this study, we use a mixed methods research design to investigate how national cultural forces may impede or enhance the positive impact of females’ economic and political empowerment on increasing gender diversity of corporate boards. Using both a longitudinal correlation-based methodology and a configurational approach with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, we integrate theoretical mechanisms from gender schema and institutional theories to develop a mid-range theory about how female empowerment and national culture shape gender diversity on corporate boards around the world. With our configurational approach, we conceptually and empirically model the complexity that is associated with the simultaneous interdependencies, both complementary and substitutive ones, between female empowerment processes and various cultural dimensions. Our findings contribute unique insights to research focused on board gender diversity as well as provide information for firm decision makers and policymakers about possible solutions for addressing the continuing issue of the underrepresentation of women on corporate boards.

Keywords: Board gender diversity; Female empowerment; Power distance; Masculinity; Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (25)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-019-04116-9

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