Less women execs in boardrooms: Study

by Ishita Sood - November 19, 2009 - 0 comments

<strong>Los Angeles, CA, November 19 --</strong> A recent study by the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis, has revealed that women hold only 10.6 percent of positions in the state’s biggest companies this year.

The study found 118 of the top 400 companies having fewer women or no women in their top management

Los Angeles, CA, November 19 -- A recent study by the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis, has revealed that women hold only 10.6 percent of positions in the state’s biggest companies this year.

A decline was seen in the results compared to the last year’s 10.9 percent. The results for the years 2006 and 2007 were 10.4 percent and 10.2 percent respectively.

“Our findings paint a disappointing picture of corporate gender equity in California, the world’s eighth-largest economy,” said Steven Currall, dean of the Graduate School of Management.

“When we released our study each of the past four years, it was met with intense interest by the business community, state legislators, policymakers and the media. Yet, overall, little has changed,” he further said.

Currall also said that “at a time like this” companies can’t keep drawing on just half the population.

Startling facts revealed in the study
The study found 118 of the top 400 companies having fewer women or no women in their top management. Examples of such companies include National Semiconductor, Callaway Golf, Hansen Natural, Quiksilver and Synnex.

There were many other facts revealed in the study. Only 49 percent of companies have women officials, out of which just 9.8 percent women make it to the boardroom. Also, almost half of the top 400 companies have no women directors!

It was seen that consumer products companies had the highest percentage of women executives, while the technology industry the lowest.

Bare Escentuals, a cosmetics company, was the only company with women holding half of its top management positions.

Dire need of empowered women leaders
Many other studies show that companies with more women perform financially better than others.

“In today’s global marketplace, where diverse backgrounds, skills and experience are critical for strategic and operational decisions, having more women involved at the highest levels of business management and corporate governance is likely to result in more profitable and well-managed companies. Our aim is to enhance diversity at the top of the corporate hierarchy” said Currall.

“The business world is in dire need of a greater number of connected, empowered and effective women leaders,” said Wendy Beecham, CEO of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs & Executives.

The findings were published through a conference call, a news release, and a 30-page report.

Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 17:38 | Write to author: Ishita Sood |