Critical Masses and Gender Diversity in Voluntary Sport Leadership: The Role of Economic and Social State-Level Factors

Gender equality in leadership positions is important for sport organizations to achieve economic and social sustainability. Based on a multi-level framework, this study examines spillover effects from state-level factors organizations’ environment critical masses of women their boards (in terms share numbers) board gender diversity (reflected by different types boards). Data national regional governing bodies Germany were collected (n = 930), with variables capturing organizational characteristics (e.g., composition) at the state level. The results regression analyses show that women’s attainment tertiary education increases likelihood mass least 30% board, higher divorce rate three board. Sport states wage gap are more likely have balanced boards, indicating volunteering might be substitute paid work. findings suggest presence affected conditions geographical surroundings occur level