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Board Diversity or Tokenism: A Case for Social Inclusion and an Efficiency Model

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  • Bello Lawal
  • Mohammed Nuhu

Abstract

This exploratory paper examines the concept of diversity as a dynamic of board effectiveness. The study argues that diversity hardly works without putting in place systems and programmes that promote social inclusion, and, as such, research on board diversity must account for this element in building empirical frameworks and model specifications. The study finds that a great majority of previous studies have ignored this variable of significant importance and, in some instances, conflated it with diversity itself. This represents a material flaw that needs to be addressed. This paper offers guidance on how to measure and account for social inclusion and integration in board diversity research. Finally, a portfolio efficiency frontier model is proposed as a mechanism for differentiating between corporations with efficient board diversity and those that are tokenism based.

Suggested Citation

  • Bello Lawal & Mohammed Nuhu, 2021. "Board Diversity or Tokenism: A Case for Social Inclusion and an Efficiency Model," Applied Finance and Accounting, Redfame publishing, vol. 7(1), pages 22-31, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:rfa:afajnl:v:7:y:2021:i:1:p:22-31
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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