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Gender diversity in corporate boards and firm risk-taking: Evidence from Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Shakeel Sobia

    (Department of Finance, School of Business Studies, Institute of Business Administration, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan)

  • Khawaja Mohsin

    (Department of Finance, School of Business Studies Institute of Business Administration, University Road, Karachi 75270, Pakistan)

Abstract

Using annual data from 49 publicly listed non-financial firms from January 2011 to December 2022, this study investigates how board gender diversity affects firm risk-taking behaviour in Pakistan. We use the exogenous shock introduced by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) through the Companies Act in 2017, mandating the inclusion of at least one female director on corporate boards in Pakistan. To address endogeneity, we employ the Two-stage Least Squares (2SLS) and Two-stage Residual Inclusion (2SRI) estimations and validate the findings with the Difference-in-Differences (DiD) and Markov Switching (MS) models. The results indicate that greater female board representation correlates significantly with lower financial leverage and reduced earnings volatility. These results suggest that mandated gender diversity can shape strategic decisions that can help mitigate firm-level financial risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Shakeel Sobia & Khawaja Mohsin, 2025. "Gender diversity in corporate boards and firm risk-taking: Evidence from Pakistan," Economics and Business Review, Sciendo, vol. 11(3), pages 119-142.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:ecobur:v:11:y:2025:i:3:p:119-142:n:1004
    DOI: 10.18559/ebr.2025.3.2135
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    Keywords

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    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
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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