Risk-taking in Impact Investing: The Role of Gender and Experience

Abstract

Relying on gender role congruity theory, this paper investigates the relationship between the gender of the top management team of venture philanthropy (VP) firms and their risk-taking orientation. Our research also assesses if and how experience moderates this relationship. Using a combination of survey data to capture the VP firm’s risk orientation, and biographical data to identify managers’ gender and experience, we find that only gender affects the risk-taking orientation in these firms. Yet, this is in an opposite direction than what theorized, whereby teams with a higher proportion of women have a higher risk-taking profile. This suggests the existence of a gender bind dilemma in VP.

Keywords: venture philanthropy, risk-taking, gender, impact investing, human capital

JEL Classification: G24, M13