Women in Power and Female Employment

Isabelle Allemand, Phan Huy Hieu Tran and Thu Ha Tran

ILR Review, 2025, vol. 78, issue 2, 304-329

Abstract: This article draws on Acker’s (1990) theory of gendered organizations to investigate the relationship between women’s representation in high-level positions (female board members and female CEOs) and the female employment share within firms. Based on a study of European firms, the findings indicate that female directors, but not female CEOs, have a positive influence on the share of female employees, female-friendly policies, and the impact of these policies on female representation in firms. This study contributes to the literature with an empirical demonstration of the causal impact that having women in top positions can have on female employment. Furthermore, it helps clarify the mechanisms through which women in power influence gender equality in the workplace, and it offers insights for policymakers and firms aiming to promote gender diversity and equality.

Keywords: female managers; female board members; female employment; gendered organizations; gendered equality policies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:78:y:2025:i:2:p:304-329

DOI: 10.1177/00197939241310870

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