Achieving gender balance on British boards with the soft-law approach: Directors’ perspective

Rita Goyal, Nada Kakabadse, Andrew Kakabadse

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

38 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A soft-law approach is followed in the UK for improving gender diversity on boards. This paper explores the causes and solutions of gender homogeneity on British boards by interviewing thirty-three board members of FTSE 350 companies. Results suggest that British boards are homogeneous due to discrimination against women, a lack of confidence among women and a lack of objectivity in nomination processes. While current soft-law approach is the best-suited strategy due to established institutional processes, there is an increasing demand for more intrusive statutory action if the current approach fails to achieve gender parity, soon enough. The paper contributes to Institutional theory, public policy and corporate praxis.
Original languageEnglish
Pages29-39
Number of pages11
Volume18
No.1
Specialist publicationJournal of Business Diversity
PublisherNorth American Business Press
Publication statusPublished - May 2018

Bibliographical note

Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

Keywords

  • Board Diversity
  • Soft-law approach
  • Gender balance

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Achieving gender balance on British boards with the soft-law approach: Directors’ perspective'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this