Five shades of women: evidence from Italian listed firms

Purpose This paper aims to examine empirically the impact of gender diversity on corporate performance by both comparing different positions occupied female directors boards and their personal-specific characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The examines a sample Italian listed companies during 2006–2015. To deal with endogeneity issues, authors use generalized method moments as an empirical methodology. Findings findings show that positive effect independent executive women firm is moderated specific characteristics directors. Specifically, analyses foreign busy females negatively performance. Conversely, graduate strengthen link between Originality/value sheds light consequences appointing types (i.e. independent, executive, graduate, busy) Our research investigates association in context based longitudinal study, which involves period ten years, allowing consideration years before after introduction quota law (Golfo–Mosca law).