Bortom representation : En kvalitativ studie om kvinnliga styrelseledamöters bidrag till företags hållbarhetsprioriteringar

Sammanfattning

This study takes its starting point in previous research that shows positive associations between female representation on company boards and companies' sustainability priorities. Based on this, the assumption for this study is that female board members' contributions to companies' sustainability priorities are best understood through the interaction between their human capital and perceived influence on the board. The purpose of the study is therefore to create a deeper understanding of how female board members perceive that their human capital contributes to companies' sustainability priorities and how their opportunities for influence affect this contribution. The study has a qualitative research strategy where the empirical data was collected using semi-structured interviews. The sample was based on female board members in Swedish listed companies and the final sample consisted of eight female board members from seven different companies. The empirical material was analyzed using thematic analysis based on Upper Echelon theory and the theory of critical mass. The study's results show that the human capital of female board members contributes to companies' sustainability priorities by adding varied perspectives that affect how sustainability issues are understood and raised in board work. For these perspectives to have significance for companies' sustainability priorities, they must also have an impact on the board's decision-making processes. Influence thus emerges as the mechanism through which human capital is translated into actual priorities. Overall, the study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the contribution of female board members to companies' sustainability priorities. The focus is thereby shifted from gender as an isolated explanatory factor to the interaction between individuals' human capital, their opportunities for influence and the national and organizational context within which board work is conducted. Furthermore, the results can provide guidance and contribute to more well-founded decisions when it comes to the composition of company boards.