The problem
Women make up less than 20 per cent of corporate board members globally. While gender quotas are an increasingly important way to redress disparity, they're often met with criticism and negative response in the stock market – interpreted as shareholders’ concerns about availability of qualified women.
The research
Dr Gertsberg's research examines the idea that shareholders oppose gender quotas by analysing their attitudes and voting patterns. In Gender Quotas and Support for Women in Board Elections, they show shareholders actually support female directors over male, while representation of women on boards remains low. This suggests incumbent directors often act as gatekeepers.
The impact
The study's potential lies in its ability to challenge existing beliefs, shed light on gatekeeping behavior, guide policy decisions, and advance gender equality in boardrooms. Already gaining visibility in policy and academic circles, including selection by Harvard Law Corporate Governance Forum, NBER Digest and Politico, its potential to transform policies and practices for affirmative action and gender diversity is promising.
Department: Finance
Area: Gender bias and quotas
Sustainable Development Goals
We align our research activity with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).