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What types of companies have female directors? Evidence from Japan

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  • Morikawa, Masayuki

Abstract

Japan is known for its low level of female engagement in senior positions. This study analyzes the determinants of the presence and number of female directors among Japanese companies. We find that, first, listed and long-established companies, subsidiaries of parent companies, and unionized companies tend not to have female directors. Second, owner-managed companies are likely to have female directors and CEOs. Third, we find no evidence of tokenism among Japanese companies, whereby female-led companies do not appoint additional females as directors. To increase the number of female executives and directors substantially, creation of new businesses is essential.

Suggested Citation

  • Morikawa, Masayuki, 2016. "What types of companies have female directors? Evidence from Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 37, pages 1-7.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:japwor:v:37-38:y:2016:i::p:1-7
    DOI: 10.1016/j.japwor.2015.09.001
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    3. Shuo Han & Weijun Cui & Jin Chen & Yu Fu, 2019. "Female CEOs and Corporate Innovation Behaviors—Research on the Regulating Effect of Gender Culture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Vladan Pavlovic & Goranka Knezevic & Radica Bojicic, 2023. "Do the Profitability, the Volume of Assets, and Equity of Public Enterprises Have Any Role in Local Authorities' Gender and Age Policy? – A Case Study of Belgrade," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 2, pages 172-191.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Female director; Board diversity; Tokenism; Owner-managed company;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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