Top management team gender diversity and productivity: the role of board gender diversity

Abstract

Purpose Based on the significance of context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate a positive top management team (TMT) gender diversity–productivity relationship derived from the upper echelons theory, and a moderating effect of board gender diversity on the TMT gender diversity–productivity relationship derived from the relational framework. Design/methodology/approach The hypotheses were tested in 172 organisations listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. This research uses archival data from multiple secondary sources, with a one-year time lag between the predictor and outcome. Findings The findings indicate a positive effect of TMT gender diversity on employee productivity and a strong positive TMT gender diversity–employee productivity relationship in organisations with a low level of board gender diversity. Originality/value This study provides pioneering evidence for a positive effect of TMT gender diversity on employee productivity and for a moderating effect of board gender diversity.