Azmat & Rentschler - Gender and ethnic diversity on boards and corporate responsibility
Azmat, F., & Rentschler, R. (2017). Gender and ethnic diversity on boards and corporate responsibility: The case of the arts sector. Journal of Business Ethics, 141: 317-336.
This study examines the specific characteristics, challenges, and issues that impact corporate responsibility (CR) concerning ethnicity and gender representation on arts boards. By employing stakeholder theory, the study investigates how the composition of arts boards, particularly in terms of gender and ethnicity, influences the dynamics that influence CR practices. The analysis draws on interviews conducted with 92 board members and stakeholders from 66 arts boards in Australia.
The study's findings suggest that the presence of gender and ethnic diversity on arts boards makes them more responsive to CR concerns. However, the study also highlights that diverse boards do not necessarily lead to increased CR practices. Instead, the research emphasises the importance of individual board member attributes, such as passion, skills, and networking capabilities, regardless of their gender and ethnicity, for fostering CR initiatives. By shedding light on the implications and relevance of ethnic and gender diversity within non-profit boards, this article contributes to a crucial yet under-researched area in the literature. The research provides valuable insights into how arts boards can effectively approach CR in the context of ethnicity and gender representation.
Azmat & Rentschler “Gender and ethnic diversity on boards and corporate responsibility: The case of the arts sector”