Women on Corporate Boards and in Top Management: European trends and policy

This book provides a cross-national European comparative analysis of the presence – and absence – of women on the board of directors of companies. The gender profile of this elite position is a key indicator of vertical segregation of employment. The relative standing of women on corporate boards and in top executive positions indicates women’s access to prestigious and influential ‘top jobs’ and the extent of the gender gap in high-level decision-making in the economy. The volume includes both national and cross-national levels of analysis. A suite of strategically selected national studies develops new empirical analysis of women’s presence on company boards, and the variation between different types of companies and board positions (executive and non-executive). Cross national similarities and differences in trends and patterns are identified and theoretically informed explanations are advanced.