abstract

• Research Question/Issue: Based on the resource dependence theory and the ethics of care theory, this study aims to analyze whether female representation on boards enhances corporate ethics performance in listed companies. Research Findings/Insights: Using a study sample composed of 1285 company-year observations from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico during the 2004–2014 period, empirical results reveal a positive effect of female representation in boardrooms over the board%27s ethical functioning, the conflicts of interest transparency index, the creation of ethics codes, and the adoption of a stakeholder orientation. Moreover, the research evidences a greater effect in some ethical dimensions when women on the board make up a critical mass of three women. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This paper motivates the ethical side of corporate governance in a setting where women%27s rates on top positions are low, corruption and bribery are high, and cultural environment inhibits gender parity in terms of reaching higher positions in an organization. It can be specifically deduced that a higher female representation as board members may have an essential role in establishing and advocating a business ethics culture. Practitioner/Policy Implications: For boards, having more female directors can enhance corporate ethical practices. For practitioners and regulators, this study shows that female directors tend to be more ethically responsible, emphasizing the necessity of mitigating gender imbalance on corporate boards. © 2021 John Wiley %26 Sons Ltd.
• Research Question/Issue: Based on the resource dependence theory and the ethics of care theory, this study aims to analyze whether female representation on boards enhances corporate ethics performance in listed companies. Research Findings/Insights: Using a study sample composed of 1285 company-year observations from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico during the 2004–2014 period, empirical results reveal a positive effect of female representation in boardrooms over the board%27s ethical functioning, the conflicts of interest transparency index, the creation of ethics codes, and the adoption of a stakeholder orientation. Moreover, the research evidences a greater effect in some ethical dimensions when women on the board make up a critical mass of three women. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This paper motivates the ethical side of corporate governance in a setting where women%27s rates on top positions are low, corruption and bribery are high, and cultural environment inhibits gender parity in terms of reaching higher positions in an organization. It can be specifically deduced that a higher female representation as board members may have an essential role in establishing and advocating a business ethics culture. Practitioner/Policy Implications: For boards, having more female directors can enhance corporate ethical practices. For practitioners and regulators, this study shows that female directors tend to be more ethically responsible, emphasizing the necessity of mitigating gender imbalance on corporate boards. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

authors

• Briano Turrent Guadalupe del Carmen

publication date

• 2022-01-01

funding provided via

• Old Dominion University, ODU  Grant

published in

• Corporate Governance: An International Review  Journal

keywords

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1111/corg.12416

PubMed ID

start page

• 80

end page

• 95

volume

• 30

issue

• 1