Abstract
This study investigates the experiences of female directors behind the corporate curtain, inspired by thought-provoking scenes of the boardroom in Barbie’s latest film. Utilizing a socialist feminist lens, we leverage panel data spanning 2008-2018 to quantitatively assess whether reality reflects the cinematic portrayal of imbalanced board diversity. Causal inference examines if greater gender diversity on boards (“More Barbies on Board”) positively influences financial performance, while probing for subtle systemic biases against women leaders. The results reveal that the presence of female directors significantly enhances profitability and firm valuation, spotlighting women’s unrecognized potential. However, women face disproportionately high education requirements despite qualifications showing no meaningful impact on outcomes. This imbalance signals lingering gender bias, even as female directors demonstrate productive contributions. By rigorously debunking assumptions and revealing obstacles, this study aims to reshape outdated perceptions of women’s capabilities on and off screen.
Author Information
Jiwei Wu, University of Macau, China
Anning Zhang, University of Macau, China
Paper Information
Conference: ACSS2024
Stream: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Gender
This paper is part of the ACSS2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
Full Paper
View / Download the full paper in a new tab/window
To cite this article:
Wu J., & Zhang A. (2024) Barbies on Board: Grievances and Contributions in Unequal Gender Competition at Listed Companies – Evidence From China ISSN: 2186-2303 – The Asian Conference on the Social Sciences 2024: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 139-161) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2024.13
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-2303.2024.13
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress