Study discusses gender diversity on boards

Deborah Patricia Wright, who sits on the boards of banking group Santander and the Brazilian Corporate Governance Institute, discusses the importance of women’s presence on company boards in a study published recently in academic journal GV-Executive. She highlights the positive impacts this can have in terms of ethics, sustainability, innovation, financial performance and other things.

There is still no definitive conclusion on the superiority of women or men in leadership positions, but Wright’s paper emphasizes the need to increase female representation on boards.

The study points out that gender diversity has a tangible positive impact on the financial performance of organizations. Evidence shows that companies with a higher proportion of women in leadership positions tend to have better financial results. In addition, women’s presence on boards promotes a culture of collaboration, innovation and more effective leadership.

Despite the progress already made, the article says that there is still a long way to go to achieve adequate female representation. Initiatives such as women’s networks, mentoring programs and diversity advocates are emerging to boost female presence. In addition, some countries have implemented quotas for women on boards as a way of accelerating progress.

The study concludes that gender diversity on boards is essential for the effective governance and management of companies. The presence of women not only improves decision making, but also contributes to a more inclusive and innovative culture, resulting in a healthier working environment and better financial results.

Wright points out that “strengthening women’s presence on boards also contributes to knowledge and value creation, because at the heart of any successful innovation process lies cognitive diversity or a plurality of experiences and visions.”

To see the full article, click here.