Gender diversity in the board room and decision pace

Abstract

Although a large body of literature is devoted to the influence of gender diversity, the combination of gender diversity and decision-making pace has not been studied extensively. In this study the influence of the board gender diversity on the decision-making pace with a moderating effect of decision subject was researched by analyzing minutes of the Dutch water board meetings. A significant moderating effect could not be found. An effect from the board gender diversity on the decision-making pace was found; a higher gender diversity will lead to a higher decision-making pace. The found effect, however, was not robust and further research is necessary in order to confirm this found effect. Future research opportunities are discussed at the end of the study.