Women on corporate boards: Leveraging female talent for corporate performance

The presence of women in top management positions and corporate boards has gained significant importance in recent years, both globally and in Italy. Gender diversity has started to be seen as a potentially valuable strategic asset for companies. In particular, a greater gender diversity in the boardroom can enhance corporate governance, often leading to more effective decision-making processes and, ultimately, improved firm performance. Empirically, one of the most debated questions among researchers, entrepreneurs, shareholders and legislators regarding board gender diversity is whether and how a greater representation of women on boards could influence the performance of the company. The answer to this question is very complex, as often company performance is typically influenced by a variety of factors that are not directly linked to the presence of women in top management positions. The chapter delves into the intricate relationship between women and corporate performance, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of this link and illustrating how women’s contributions extend beyond the traditional focus on maximizing shareholder value, encompassing broader and more diverse corporate outcomes.