Global Insights on TMT Gender Diversity in Controversial Industries: A Legitimacy Perspective

Abubakr Saeed (), Muhammad Saad Baloch and Hammad Riaz ()
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Abubakr Saeed: COMSATS University Islamabad
Hammad Riaz: University of Poonch

Journal of Business Ethics, 2022, vol. 179, issue 3, No 5, 731 pages

Abstract: Abstract Firms in controversial industries such as tobacco, alcohol, gambling, weapon, and nuclear power suffer organizational legitimacy problems. These firms, therefore, adopt various strategies to acquire legitimacy. Drawing on institutional theory, we conceptualize the top management team (TMT) gender diversity as a legitimacy-seeking strategy and examines how a firm’s belonging to a controversial sector affects TMT gender diversity. Based on a cross-country sample of 1542 firms operating in controversial industries from 34 countries and control sample with another set of 1542 similar-sized firms from non-controversial industries, the empirical evidence shows that belonging to a controversial industry exerts a positive impact on TMT gender diversity. The effect of industry belonging on TMT gender diversity is positively moderated by institutional gender parity and a low level of corruption. It indicates that institutional factors act as emancipative forces that foster women's empowerment. Taken together, our results for moderating variables highlight the role of institutional characteristics in supporting women empowerment initiatives.

Keywords: Controversial industries; Legitimacy-seeking strategies; TMT gender diversity; Organizational stigma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04849-6

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