Gender Quota and Firm's Performance: A Focus on Italian and Spanish Companies from EURO STOXX 50

Abstract

Gender diversity of management boards is a highly-debated issue worldwide. Aside from its ethical aspect, promoting equality and a greater inclusion is believed to have also positive effects on the financial performance of a company. National campaigns such as the “2020 Women on Boards” in the USA, or the “Women on the Board Pledge for Europe” at European level are just two examples of initiatives which aim at increasing the female percentage in management boards. In addition, some countries also adopted legal quotas to enhance the existence of diverse management boards. In this context, the present study focuses on the EURO STOXX 50 companies and the relationship between the gender composition of their boards and financial performance as measured by Earnings before Taxes (EBT). A special focus is laid on Italy and Spain, as both countries adopted legislative actions for increasing the proportion of women on boards.