Gender diversity and the performance of public hospitals in Ghana

Beatrice Sarpong-Danquah () and Salamatu Salmu Osman ()
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Beatrice Sarpong-Danquah: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Salamatu Salmu Osman: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

SN Business & Economics, 2025, vol. 5, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Abstract The study explores the multifaceted impact of women’s representation across occupational hierarchies and functional domains on the financial performance of public hospitals in Ghana. Drawing on the agency, social role and representative bureaucracy theories, we examine how women in top management, as well as those employed in health and non-health professional and staff roles, influence two key financial indicators—liquidity and return on sales. Using the pooled OLS and random effect estimation techniques, our results from a panel data of fifteen public hospitals in the Northern region of Ghana from 2012 to 2021 reveal that women in top management significantly enhance overall hospital performance. Furthermore, women exhibit stronger financial stability when they are employed in non-health-related sectors. Intriguingly, women health professionals improve liquidity, but hurt return on sales, pointing to a potential prioritisation of care quality over profit margins. Conversely, women health staff appear to reduce cash flow while boosting return on sales. The results highlight complex trade-offs tied to role-specific responsibilities. The findings challenge conventional assumptions about gender and performance, highlighting that roles matter. It calls for a rethinking of workforce gender strategies.

Keywords: Women; Health professionals; Non-health professionals; Gender diversity; Firm financial performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00914-8

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