Does Diversity Pay in the Boardroom?
59 Pages
Posted: 19 Jul 2016
Last revised: 18 Nov 2016
University of Delaware - Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics
University of Missouri at Columbia - Department of Finance
University of Missouri at Columbia - Department of Finance
Date Written: November 15, 2016
Abstract
Minority and female (“diverse”) directors earn significantly higher compensation than non-diverse directors. The difference is due to their increased likelihood of being appointed to the boards of larger, more visible firms which tend to pay more. However, within these same firms, diverse directors earn lower compensation than their peers despite having superior qualifications and receiving higher vote totals in director elections. This lower compensation is partially a function of board responsibilities. Although diverse directors are more likely to serve on certain committees (except the compensation committee), they are less likely to serve in key leadership positions associated with greater pay. Moreover, they earn less income beyond the formulaic components of director compensation. Female and minority representation on the director compensation committee and the existence of a board diversity policy attenuates this effect.
Keywords: Director compensation, Boards of directors, Diversity, Gender, Women, Minorities
JEL Classification: J15, J16, J31, J71, G34, M14
Suggested Citation:
Suggested Citation
Field, Laura Casares and Souther, Matthew E. and Yore, Adam S., Does Diversity Pay in the Boardroom? (November 15, 2016). 2nd Annual Financial Institutions, Regulation and Corporate Governance Conference. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2810543 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2810543
