The effects of gender diversity on eco-innovation

Abstract

Concern about environmental threats keeps constantly increasing, and companies play a significant part in these ecological crises. Therefore the inclusion of eco-innovations that can minimize the potential harm to the environment is essential. Using a sample of 108 European firms, this paper is researching the relationship between board gender diversity and eco-innovation. Based on the resource dependence theory, gender socialization theory, and social role theory of leadership, it is expected that greater female board representation leads to a higher likelihood of firms to eco-innovate. The empirical evidence in this study confirms this effect. The findings provide important implications for corporate management and policy-makers.