We abductively explore the economic impact of female directors on male-led new ventures.
To overcome the empirical challenge of nonrandom director selection, we use the naturally random assignment of child sex to male founders as our instrumental variable. Our analysis counters the prevailing assumptions that female directors face insurmountable barriers in male-dominated environments by demonstrating their significant and positive influence on venture performance.
Importantly, female directors enhance venture performance not through traditional pathways of external expansion but through strategic internal workforce development. This involves the recruitment of skilled personnel and advocacy for enhanced compensation practices. This study underscores the distinct role of female directors in entrepreneurial settings as opposed to established firms, illuminating the mechanisms through which gender diversity in the boardroom positively affects the early life stages of organizations.
We hope our research serves as a basis for future research to further explore roles of female directors that are particularly relevant at the startup stage.
Lucia is Full Professor of Business Administration at Jönköping International Business School and Senior Editor for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the Journal of Business Research. She has a very strong publication record with articles published in top-tier management journals, such as Org Science, JBV, ETP, Management Science, and the Journal of Management among others.
The seminar will be held in English.
Major information: Elisa Villani (e.villani@unibo.it).