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The Gender Composition of Corporate Boards and Firm Performance: Evidence from Russia

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  • Garanina, Tatiana

    (University of Vaasa)

  • Muravyev, Alexander

    (Higher School of Economics, St. Petersburg Branch)

Abstract

This paper studies economic effects of the gender composition of corporate boards, employing a new and unique longitudinal dataset of virtually all Russian companies whose shares were traded on the national stock market between 1998 and 2014. Using multiple identification approaches, alternative measures of gender diversity, and several performance indicators, we find some evidence that companies with gender-diverse boards have higher market values and better profitability. These effects are particularly pronounced when firms appoint several women directors, which is consistent with the critical mass theory. The effects appear to be stronger in bad economic times or for firms experiencing economic difficulties. Overall, the Russian data lend some support to "the business case" for more women on corporate boards.

Suggested Citation

  • Garanina, Tatiana & Muravyev, Alexander, 2019. "The Gender Composition of Corporate Boards and Firm Performance: Evidence from Russia," IZA Discussion Papers 12357, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12357
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    2. Cecília Carmo & Sandra Alves & Bruna Quaresma, 2022. "Women on Boards in Portuguese Listed Companies: Does Gender Diversity Influence Financial Performance?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    3. Abdelrahman J. K. Alfar & Nariman Abuatwan & Mohamed Elheddad & Mohammad Qaki, 2023. "The Internal Determinants of Gender Diversity and Its Non-Linear Impact on Firms’ Performance: Evidence from the Listed Companies in Palestine Exchange," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    firm performance; gender diversity; board of directors; Russia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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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