Diversity, equity, and inclusion reporting in European Union companies: The role of female directors and the European regulatory framework
研究了2011-2020年间189家大型欧盟公司中女性董事对多样性、公平与包容性信息披露的影响，发现至少三位女性董事或性别平衡的董事会能提升披露质量，且2014年后的欧盟监管框架促进了企业透明度。
Abstract Equality, equity, and nondiscrimination are core human rights and prerequisites for peace, prosperity, and sustainability that require the commitment of all actors. They have received considerable attention from the European Union, leading to the development of a regulatory framework aimed at promoting gender diversity and the disclosure of information on diversity, equity, and inclusion by European companies. Considering the regulatory pressure from the institutional environment of the European Union that characterizes the period 2011–2020, this study aims to analyze the role played by female directors in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion disclosures of 189 large European companies. Based on international guidelines and recommendations as well as European legislation, we developed a transparency score that assesses the relevance, standardization, reliability, and completeness of the diversity, equity, and inclusion information disclosed by these companies. Using a Tobit regression approach for panel data, we show that board diversity has a positive effect on the information reported by European companies, although this effect is only associated with having at least three female directors or gender‐balanced boards. Moreover, the European institutional context in force since 2014 favors corporate transparency on equality, equity, and inclusiveness practices of European companies and encourages the consideration of the views of minority female directors. The results can improve the understanding of gender equality and corporate transparency regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion decisions made by companies in light of the advent of new mandatory requirements within the EU and the extension of their scope to a wider range of companies.