Characteristics of women and men corporate inside directors in the US

This study examines the qualifications of women and men corporate inside directors of Fortune 1000 firms. Our results indicate that women insiders differ significantly from a random set of men insiders on several characteristics relevant to their dual positions as directors and officers of the corporation. While they do not differ on the experience-based qualifications of board tenure or corporate tenure, women insiders hold fewer directorships of other corporations, hold less powerful corporate titles, occupy disproportionately more staff functions, are less likely to be top earners of the corporation, and earn considerably less than men inside directors. Implications are drawn for women executives' under utilisation in the executive suite and corporate governance.