Women on boards, firm risk and the profitability nexus: Does gender diversity moderate the risk and return relationship?

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Review of Economics and Finance

Publication Date

11-1-2019

Abstract

© 2019 Elsevier Inc. The risk and return implications of women on boards (WOB) are generally discussed in the arena of individuals’ risk preferences, and most previous studies conclude that women are risk-averse. If this argument is true, then firms with gender-diverse boards are likely to be less competitive in industry because they make less risky decisions. We explore another mechanism called “group dynamics”, through which WOB may moderate the firm risk and return relationship. Based on a relatively large dataset of UK listed firms for the period of 2007–2016, our results reveal a negative relationship between WOB and firm risk, but a positive impact of WOB and firm risk on profitability. Furthermore, we report a positive significant impact of WOB on observable dynamics of the board. Our findings support the group dynamics mechanism through which WOB may reduce risk but improve profitability, nullifying the stereotypical misconception of women as being risk-averse. This is further supported by a positive significant impact of WOB on firm leverage. Our results are robust to endogeneity issues, alternative gender diversity and risk measures. This study endorses recent regulatory changes, worldwide, that promote gender diversity on corporate boards. The study recognizes the group dynamics mechanism that may alter the risk-return relationship.

ISSN

1059-0560

Publisher

Elsevier Inc.

Volume

64

First Page

427

Last Page

442

Disciplines

Business

Keywords

Board gender diversity, Firm risk, Group dynamics, Risk-aversion, Women on boards

Scopus ID

85071884776

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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