The recruitment process to corporate boards - A qualitative study investigating female underrepresentation

Abstract: This research put emphasis on the election committee and its role in the recruitment process for corporate boards. Particularly, it investigates the cause of female underrepresentation in the boardroom of corporations listed on the Swedish stock exchange. The data collection is based on a qualitative methodology, where 16 members of different election committees, and one recruitment expert have been interviewed. To distinguish similarities, dissimilarities, and underlying patterns in the recruitment process, an analysis was conducted through the lens of institutional work and the three core concepts: maintaining, disrupting, and creating institutions. The research concludes that the election committee possesses a key role to influence gender distribution in corporate boards. It reveals four reasons why women are not elected to boards to the same extent as men. Firstly, recruiting through social networks contributes to the maintenance of traditional structures, including homosocial reproduction, and male dominance. Secondly, the strict requirement profile inhibits women due to not having the same prerequisites as men. Thirdly, external pressures from shareholders, stockholders, legislators, and media do not place sufficiently high demands on the work of the election committee. Finally, the lack of comprehensive regulations that address the root causes of gender inequality. The study contributes with new insights into gender inequality, and how the election committee plays a significant role to initiate and influence change.