Gender diversity and risk-taking: evidence from dual banking systems

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the relationship between gender diversity and the risk profile of 141 listed banks from 14 emerging countries over the period of 2012–2020. Specifically, this study investigates whether the relationship between gender diversity and banking risk varies between Islamic banks and conventional banks, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second aim is to investigate whether COVID-19 health crisis moderates the effect of gender diversity on banks' risk-taking behavior within a dual banking system. Design/methodology/approach: This study derives its theoretical foundation from both the token theory and the critical mass theory. Both fixed and random effects are combined to examine the relationship between gender diversity and bank risk-taking in emerging countries. Findings: The results show that female presence on the board of directors reduces banks' financial risk. However, the presence of women continues to positively affect the capital adequacy ratio of large banks. The results also show that the presence of at least two female directors significantly reduces banking risk. The findings support the expectations of the token and critical mass theories. In addition, the presence of female board members, per se, does not influence the risk-taking behavior of Islamic banks. Finally, this study demonstrates that the moderating role of the COVID-19 health crisis is only more effective for large banks than for small ones. The analyses demonstrate good reliability and robustness of the findings of this study. Practical implications: The study provides novel insights for policymakers and practitioners on how female directors impact banks' risk-taking behavior in dual-banking countries. It also contributes to the debate on gender diversity and corporate governance literature, which can help in monitoring bank risk-taking and improving financial stability. Originality/value: This study presents new evidence about the importance of board gender diversity for bank risk-taking in a dual banking system by considering the moderating influence of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study also contributes to the literature on bank risk-taking by applying two measures of gender diversity and a critical mass of women on boards. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Collaborative behaviours and social dilemmas during the coronavirus pandemic: does gender matter in the context of Moroccan firms?

The current COVID-19 pandemic challenges require collective actions aiming at ensuring the preservation of human health by developing a social and an economic resilience. Moreover, experiences show that cooperative and civic behaviours are so credible in a context of solidarity and reciprocity according to a win-win cooperation among all social stakeholders and countries from a micro to a macro – analysis level. The present study explores the choices and decisions made by Moroccan firms through the lens of the game theory and investigates cooperative behaviours occurring during 2020 within social dilemmas. It contributes for a better formalisation of social and behavioural compliance to public policies in times of coronavirus crisis. This research provides then an enhanced understanding of gender differences related to people's behavioural responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasises the importance of adopting individual and collective behaviours required for the coordination of separate actions. Copyright © 2022 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.