Board-level gender diversity in Czech companies

Thesis title: Board-level gender diversity in Czech companies
Author: Grandová, Paula
Thesis type: Diploma thesis
Supervisor: Ali, Tanweer
Opponents: Kania, Karolina Anna
Thesis language: English
Abstract:
This thesis explores the relationship between board gender diversity and financial performance in Czech companies. The literature review discusses studies from Europe, America, and Asia. Although gender representation on corporate boards has improved internationally, women remain significantly underrepresented, and this trend persists in Czech companies as well. The author uses a quantitative approach to analyze data from 100 largest Czech companies across five key sectors (industry, trade and hospitality, information and communication, construction, and finance and insurance) over four years (2020-2023). Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the percentage of women on boards and two financial performance indicators: return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The research also distinguishes between Czech-owned firms and Czech subsidiaries of foreign companies to assess the potential impact of ownership structure. The main findings confirm that female representation on corporate boards in Czech companies remains low. Furthermore, the results suggest that, in most cases, there is no statistically significant correlation between board gender diversity and ROA or ROE. These findings align with some prior studies conducted in the Czech Republic, which indicate that a higher proportion of women on boards does not automatically lead to better financial outcomes, but neither does it negatively affect performance.
Keywords: board gender diversity; financial performance of a company; Czech companies; linear regression analysis; women in leadership
Thesis title: Board-level gender diversity in Czech companies
Author: Grandová, Paula
Thesis type: Diplomová práce
Supervisor: Ali, Tanweer
Opponents: Kania, Karolina Anna
Thesis language: English
Abstract:
This thesis explores the relationship between board gender diversity and financial performance in Czech companies. The literature review discusses studies from Europe, America, and Asia. Although gender representation on corporate boards has improved internationally, women remain significantly underrepresented, and this trend persists in Czech companies as well. The author uses a quantitative approach to analyze data from 100 largest Czech companies across five key sectors (industry, trade and hospitality, information and communication, construction, and finance and insurance) over four years (2020-2023). Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the percentage of women on boards and two financial performance indicators: return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The research also distinguishes between Czech-owned firms and Czech subsidiaries of foreign companies to assess the potential impact of ownership structure. The main findings confirm that female representation on corporate boards in Czech companies remains low. Furthermore, the results suggest that, in most cases, there is no statistically significant correlation between board gender diversity and ROA or ROE. These findings align with some prior studies conducted in the Czech Republic, which indicate that a higher proportion of women on boards does not automatically lead to better financial outcomes, but neither does it negatively affect performance.
Keywords: board gender diversity; women in leadership; linear regression analysis; Czech companies; financial performance of a company

Information about study

Study programme: Management
Type of study programme: Magisterský studijní program
Assigned degree: Ing.
Institutions assigning academic degree: Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze
Faculty: Faculty of Business Administration
Department: Department of strategy

Information on submission and defense

Date of assignment: 14. 11. 2024
Date of submission: 13. 5. 2025
Date of defense: 18. 6. 2025
Identifier in the InSIS system: https://insis.vse.cz/zp/90347/podrobnosti

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