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

Rita  Goyal; Nada Kakabadse; Andrew Kakabadse

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

Rita Goyal
, Nada Kakabadse
, Andrew Kakabadse

University of Reading

Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

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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 language	English
Pages	29-39
Number of pages	11
Volume	18
No.	1
Specialist publication	Journal of Business Diversity
Publisher	North American Business Press
Publication status	Published - 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

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ER -

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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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