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Towards a Gender Quota

Author

Listed:
  • Norma Schmitt

Abstract

In 2016, a fixed gender quota will come into force in Germany, affecting the supervisory boards of listed companies that also have employee representation (full codetermination).1 By as early as September 30, 2015, however, all companies will be obliged to set a self-imposed target quota – even companies that meet just one of these criteria; i.e., either listed or subject to codetermination. A variety of concerns have been expressed about the implementation of this law, including fears that the quota will impair company performance and the quality of the talent pool, or the belief that it discriminates against men and stigmatizes women. The present article examines these key criticisms on the basis of research findings to date. In conclusion, the advantages of a gender quota should allay these concerns since, in the long term, it contributes to dismantling gender stereotypes and consequently also mitigates the negative impact these stereotypes have on the selection of the best candidates for senior management positions.

Suggested Citation

  • Norma Schmitt, 2015. "Towards a Gender Quota," DIW Economic Bulletin, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 5(40), pages 527-536.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwdeb:2015-40-1
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    File URL: https://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.514766.de/diw_econ_bull_2015-40-1.pdf
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kim, Jennifer Y. & Brockner, Joel & Block, Caryn J., 2022. "Tailoring the intervention to the self: Congruence between self-affirmation and self-construal mitigates the gender gap in quantitative performance," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender; quota; stereotypes; discrimination; board diversity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J78 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Public Policy (including comparable worth)
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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