Women directors' contribution to board decision-making and strategic involvement: The role of equality perception

In times of vivid debates about the role of women on corporate boards, this article investigates the contribution of women directors to board decision-making and strategic involvement. Based on survey data from multiple respondents in 120 Norwegian firms, we find that women directors influence board strategic involvement through their contribution to board decision-making, which in turn depends on women directors' professional experiences and the different values they bring along. Drawing upon stereotype threat theory, we further find that perception of women as unequal board members may limit their potential contribution to board decision-making. European Management Review (2010) 7, 16-29. doi:10.1057/emr.2009.27