Feminizing the boardroom:A study of the effects of corporatization on the number and status of women directors in New Zealand companies

摘要

Purpose - Changes to government policy, deregulation and corporatization in New Zealand haverninfluenced the number and status of women on boards of directors. Using company records, archivalrnmaterial and interviews, this paper seeks to examine gender equity on boards of directors inrnNew Zealand and compare the progress of women on the boards of corporate companies in the privaternsector with those on crown company boards in the public sector.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The paper includes interview material from women who havernsuccessfully achieved directorships and examines the approaches they adopted. The paper usesrncompany records and interviews to achieve this aim.rnFindings - While increasing numbers of New Zealand women are entering the business arena, theyrncontinue to be underrepresented in the boardrooms and there exists a clear disparity between genderrnrepresentation on the boards of crown and corporate companies with women being disadvantagedrnin the private sector.rnOriginality/value - The paper outlines some positive steps to assist women in the bid for corporaterndirectorship, but suggests that the challenge of changing corporate and societal attitudes remains.