Diversity and the Effective Corporate Board

Chapter 2

Women on Boards

2.1 Men Still Dominate Boards

2.2 Why So Few Women?

2.2.1 Demand Barriers

2.2.2 Supply Barriers

2.3 Why We Need Women on Boards

2.4 Gender Diversity—On the Move

2.4.1 More the Merrier

2.5 Women in the Lead

2.6 Bridging the Gap

2.7 Toward a Broader Base

Notes

Abbreviations

References

Although women have become significant contributors to the economy, there are very few women leading companies as board members. This chapter examines the reasons for the small number of women on boards and elucidates why it is important to have women as an integral part of boards.

2.1 Men Still Dominate Boards

Women in the United States make up 47.3% [1] of the labor force and 51.4% [2] of management, professional, and related positions, ...