Does the gender of the CEO have a significant impact on firms’ financial performance?
Abstract
We examine the impact of CEO gender on the financial performance of Norwegian firms using panel data analysis from 2000 to 2020. Our study includes a comprehensive dataset of 160 091 firms and controls for variables such as firm size, industry, and time. We find a significant, but not necessarily a causal, relationship between CEO gender and financial performance. One possible explanation is a selection effect, where companies with lower profitability are more likely to appoint female CEOs. However, female CEOs are found to have a positive effect on firms' profit margin. By expanding the generalizability of findings and considering the external validity of existing research, our study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the impact of gender diversity on financial performance. It provides insights for policymakers and practitioners to promote workplace gender diversity and foster inclusive and prosperous economies.
Description
Masteroppgave(MSc) in Master of Science in Business, Finance - Handelshøyskolen BI, 2023