Gender in Venezuelan Board of Directors and C-level Positions: Current Balance of Gender Diversity for Twenty-first Century Socialism

Abstract

Purpose

The intention of this chapter is to review and test the degree to which organizational changes related to gender parity, adopted within Venezuela since 1999, have affected the C-level positions and Boards of Directors among banking institutions.

Design/Methodology/Approach

Through review and qualitative analysis of primary and secondary data, along with triangulation, given names were used as proxy to define gender among groups of individuals.

Findings

Evidence indicates that besides some parity in lower positions, middle management, and some C-level positions, at the Board of Director level, there remains a gender imbalance. Government-owned institutions show improved gender balance, but still there is a need for progress.

Practical Implications

Coercive isomorphisms may be the most common explanation for organizational change; nevertheless, this is not necessarily the case unless there is clear law enforcement. Practitioners must analyze the underlying reasons that females may reach a C-level position, yet don’t reach the Board of Directors in the same proportion.

Originality/Value

This research analyzes gender issues and composition among corporate governance bodies (Board of Directors and C-level positions) in Venezuela. It offers preliminary insights on gender imbalance within the upper echelon of Venezuelan banking institutions.

Citation

Baldo, C.M., Matteo, C.A. and Hull, K. (2019), "Gender in Venezuelan Board of Directors and C-level Positions: Current Balance of Gender Diversity for Twenty-first Century Socialism", Diversity within Diversity Management (Advanced Series in Management, Vol. 21), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 175-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-636120190000021010