Gender Diversity in the Boardroom : Volume 1: The Use of Different Quota Regulations

This edited collection provides a structured and in-depth analysis of the current use of quota strategies for resolving the pressing issue of gender inequality, and the lack of female representation on corporate boards. Filling the gap in existing literature on this topic, the two volumes of Gender Diversity in the Boardroom offers systematic overviews of current debates surrounding the optimisation of gender diversity, and the suggested pathways for progress. Focusing on sixteen European countries, the skilled contributors explore the current situation in relation to women on boards debates and approaches taken. They include detailed reflections from critical stakeholders, such as politicians, practitioners and policy-makers. Volume 1 focuses on eight European countries having adopted quotas and is a promising and highly valuable resource for academics, practitioners, policy makers and anyone interested in gender diversity because it examines and critiques the current corporate governance system and national strategies for increasing the share of women not only on boards, but within companies beyond the boardroom. Read more... Abstract: This edited collection provides a structured and in-depth analysis of the current use of quota strategies for resolving the pressing issue of gender inequality, and the lack of female representation on corporate boards. Filling the gap in existing literature on this topic, the two volumes of Gender Diversity in the Boardroom offers systematic overviews of current debates surrounding the optimisation of gender diversity, and the suggested pathways for progress. Focusing on sixteen European countries, the skilled contributors explore the current situation in relation to women on boards debates and approaches taken. They include detailed reflections from critical stakeholders, such as politicians, practitioners and policy-makers. Volume 1 focuses on eight European countries having adopted quotas and is a promising and highly valuable resource for academics, practitioners, policy makers and anyone interested in gender diversity because it examines and critiques the current corporate governance system and national strategies for increasing the share of women not only on boards, but within companies beyond the boardroom Foreword 5 Preface 9 Acknowledgements 12 Contents 13 Editors, Contributors, and Contributing Actors 15 Abbreviations 20 List of Figures 23 List of Tables 24 1: Setting the Scene: Women on Boards in Countries with Quota Regulations 26 Introduction 26 Volume 1: The Use of Different Quota Regulations 30 The Structure and Content of the Book 32 References 34 2: Gender Quotas on Corporate Boards in Norway: Ten Years Later and Lessons Learned 36 Introduction 36 General Background 38 Status of Women in the Labour Market 39 Equality Initiatives 41 Welfare/Substantive Benefits 43 Corporate Governance in Norway 45 Owners 46 Corporate Boards and Governance Structures 47 Employee Participation and Co-determination 48 The Gender Quota Law 50 Reflections on the Gender Balance Law: Ten Years After the Introduction 52 Narrow Compliance 52 Decline of PLCs 53 Recruitment Procedure: Criteria Widening 54 Who Are the Women? 55 Company Performance. The Effects and the Need Look Beyond the Narrow Understanding of the Business Case 56 Critical Actors and Enabling and Hindering Forces 57 Reflection from an Actor 61 Concluding Remarks 63 Notes 64 References 65 3: Gender Diversity on Boards in Spain: A Non-mandatory Quota 71 Introduction 71 General Background: The Spanish Economy and Women in the Workplace 72 The Spanish Economy 73 Women in the Workplace 75 Spanish Corporate Governance 77 Board Composition and Board Members Selection 79 Women on Spanish Corporate Boards 80 Current National Public Policies for Women on Boards 80 Facts and Figures for Women on Boards in Spain 83 Relevant Actors on the Spanish Case 85 Other Enabling and Hindering Forces in the Spanish Scenario 87 Reflections of an Actor 89 Critical Reflection on the Spanish Case 93 Notes 95 References 95 4: Gender Diversity on Boards in Iceland: Pathway to Gender Quota Law Following a Financial Crisis 99 Introduction 99 General Background 101 Culture 102 Gender Equality in Historic Perspective 103 Political and Economic System 105 Discussion of National Public Policy Regarding Women on Boards 106 Governance Structure According to Company Law 106 Corporate Governance Codes 109 Gender Diversity and Director Selection in Icelandic Corporate Governance Codes 110 Enabling and Hindering Forces for Gender Quota in Iceland 112 Reflections of Actors 116 Critical Reflection on the Case: Takeaways 120 Notes 122 References 122 5: Gender Diversity on French Boards: Example of a Success from a Hard Law 126 Introduction 126 General Background of the Country 127 Characteristics of the Economic System 127 Labor Market and the Integration of Women in France 127 Other Characteristics of the Economic System 129 The French Corporate Governance System 130 The Dominant System Is a One-Tier System: A CEO with a Board 130 The Two-Tier System, with a Supervisory Board and an Executive Board 132 Board Nomination 132 National Public Policy Regarding Women on Boards 135 Corporate Governance Codes 135 Legislations 136 Diversity Figures Before and After the Regulation 137 Evolution of Board Gender Diversity in the Biggest French Companies: The CAC40 137 Listed Companies and Diversity 138 Enabling and Hindering Forces 139 Critical Reflection on the Case 140 Reflections of an Actor 142 Note 144 References 145 6: Women on Board in Italy: The Pressure of Public Policies 148 Introduction 148 General Background 149 Political and Economic System 150 Cultural System 152 Governance Structure 153 Ownership Structure 154 The Board of Directors in the Dualistic Horizontal System 155 Statutory Auditors as the Supervisory Board in the Dualistic Horizontal System 156 Corporate Governance Code and Regulation 156 Board Nomination Process 157 National Public Policy Regarding Women on Boards 158 The Gender Debate in Italy 158 The Italian Quota Law 159 Women ́s Representation on Boards: Changes and Developments 161 Hindering and Enabling and Forces 163 Reflections of an Actor 165 Critical Reflection on the Case 168 Appendix 169 Notes 175 References 175 7: Belgium: Male/Female United in the Boardroom 178 Introduction 178 General Background 179 Gender Equality or Inequality? 180 Corporate Governance Model 182 Shareholder Base 182 Board Structure 183 Board Nomination Process: The Predominance of the `Old Boys ́ Network ́? 184 National Public Policy Regarding Women on Boards 185 Belgian Corporate Governance Code: A Flexible Approach to Female Representation in Boards 185 Gender Quota: Five Bills, One Compromise 186 Enabling and Hindering Forces 188 Critical Reflection on the Case: Takeaways 191 Gender Quota Law as Accelerator 191 Women in the Crowd 192 Reflections of an Actor 193 Notes 195 References 196 8: Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards in the Netherlands: Waiting on the World to Change 199 Introduction1 199 General Background: The Political, Economic and Social System 201 Governance Structure According to Company Law 203 Supervisory and Executive Boards 203 Corporate Governance Code 203 Facts and Figures 204 Women ́s Participation in the Labor Market 204 Women ́s Representation on Boards 207 National Law and Policy Regarding Women on Boards 208 The Gender Quotas in the Dutch Civil Code 208 The Lapsing of the Law Containing Gender Quotas 210 In the Meantime: A Legal Vacuum? 212 Very Recently: Diversity Policy in the Revised Corporate Governance Code 213 Enabling and Hindering Forces and Critical Reflection on the Dutch Case 214 Reflections of an Actor 218 Conclusions 220 Notes 222 References 222 9: Women ́s Access to Boards in Germany— Regulation and Symbolic Change 227 Introduction 227 General Background 228 Women in the German Economy and Society 228 The Structure of Corporate Boards 230 The Representation of Women on Boards 234 Enabling and Hindering Forces: New Regulation and Resistances 236 A Protracted Path to Regulation on Board Gender Composition 236 The Statutory Regulation: Provisions, Criticisms and Compliance 240 Critical Reflection: Public Visibility, Social Legitimacy and Symbolic Change 244 Reflections of an Actor 247 Notes 249 References 250 10: Gender Diversity in the Boardroom: The Multiple Versions of Quota Laws in Europe 255 Introduction 255 Corporate Governance Structures 257 Corporate Governance Codes 260 Ownership Structure 261 Quota Regulations 262 Enabling and Hindering Forces 267 Final Thoughts 272 Note 275 References 275 Index 277 Â#x80;Gender diversity on boards is a fundamental pillar for good corporate governance and has solidly gained momentum in many firms. I recommend this book to anyone seeking to understand different country strategies to promote the presence of women on boards. A must-read in the field!â#x80;#x99; â#x80;#x94;Ruth Aguilera, Dâ#x80;#x99;Amore-McKim School of Business, Northeastern University â#x80;This useful book critically examines the range of strategies employed by European countries to advance female representation on corporate boards. The contributors comprise highly credible experts at the nexus of diversity and corporate governance research. A must-read for scholars and policy-makers!â#x80;#x99; â#x80;#x94;Diana Bilimoria, Chair of Organizational Behavior, Case Western Reserve University This edited collection provides a structured and in-depth analysis of the current use of quota strategies for resolving the pressing issue of gender inequality, and the lack of female representation on corporate boards. Filling the gap in existing literature on this topic, the two volumes of Gender Diversity in the Boardroom offers systematic overviews of current debates surrounding the optimisation of gender diversity, and the suggested pathways for progress. Focusing on sixteen European countries, the skilled contributors explore the current situation in relation to women on boards debates and approaches taken. They include detailed reflections from critical stakeholders, such as politicians, practitioners and policy-makers. Volume 1 focuses on eight European countries having adopted quotas and is a promising and highly valuable resource for academics, practitioners, policy makers and anyone interested in gender diversity because it examines and critiques the current corporate governance system and national strategies for increasing the share of women not only on boards, but within companies beyond the boardroom Front Matter ....Pages i-xxx Setting the Scene: Women on Boards in Countries with Quota Regulations (Heike Mensi-Klarbach, Cathrine Seierstad, Patricia Gabaldon)....Pages 1-10 Gender Quotas on Corporate Boards in Norway: Ten Years Later and Lessons Learned (Cathrine Seierstad, Morten Huse)....Pages 11-45 Gender Diversity on Boards in Spain: A Non-mandatory Quota (Patricia Gabaldon, Daniela Giménez)....Pages 47-74 Gender Diversity on Boards in Iceland: Pathway to Gender Quota Law Following a Financial Crisis (Audur Arna Arnardottir, Throstur Olaf Sigurjonsson)....Pages 75-101 Gender Diversity on French Boards: Example of a Success from a Hard Law (Emmanuel Zenou, Isabelle Allemand, Bénédicte Brullebaut)....Pages 103-124 Women on Board in Italy: The Pressure of Public Policies (Alessandra Rigolini, Morten Huse)....Pages 125-154 Belgium: Male/Female United in the Boardroom (Abigail Levrau)....Pages 155-175 Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards in the Netherlands: Waiting on the World to Change (Sonja A. Kruisinga, Linda Senden)....Pages 177-204 Women’s Access to Boards in Germany—Regulation and Symbolic Change (Anja Kirsch)....Pages 205-232 Gender Diversity in the Boardroom: The Multiple Versions of Quota Laws in Europe (Patricia Gabaldon, Heike Mensi-Klarbach, Cathrine Seierstad)....Pages 233-254 Back Matter ....Pages 255-263