Factors that influence the contribution of women on boards in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This study explores the factors influencing women's contributions to board task performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It examines interactions between board composition, culture, and processes to fill the knowledge gap concerning women's experiences in corporate boardrooms within emerging markets like the UAE. The study sample consisted of 110 survey participants (male and female) supplemented by ten in-depth interviews with female directors. The mixed-methods approach employed, integrating qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, provided a rich analysis of women's board task performance. Women director types, encompassing inside directors, business experts, support specialists, and community influentials, demonstrate a significant positive impact on board strategic task performance but do not show a statistically significant influence on board control and service tasks. Effort norms and the use of knowledge and skills emerged as critical mediators in the relationship between women director types and board task performance, enhancing their contributions. Board processes were found to significantly moderate the relationship between women director types (support specialists and community influentials) and overall board culture. Conversely, other board processes did not exhibit significant direct mediating or moderating effects. Tokenism was not identified as a notable concern within the study. However, study findings reveal that tokenistic inclusion of women does not challenge entrenched stereotypes or influence their contributions to board roles. Instead, factors like effort norms and the application of knowledge and skills were found to have a more significant impact. Ultimately, this study explains the considerable influence wielded by female directors on the strategic performance of boards within the UAE, whereas their effect on control and service-related tasks remains statistically insignificant. Effort norms and the use of knowledge and skills surface as pivotal mediators in some cases, thereby strengthening women's contributions, whereas board processes function as a moderating factor in the development of board culture. The issue of tokenism while not emerging as a predominant concern, reveals that superficial representation of women on boards fails to challenge existing stereotypes or enhance board contributions. To maximize the influence of women, boards in the UAE need to cultivate an inclusive culture, refine their internal processes, and encourage diversity among female director types (inside directors, business experts, support specialists, and community influentials). Show more