Accessing Directorships: Comparison of Views of Canadian and Australian Women Directors

Abstract

Compared are views of Canadian and Australian women directors concerning the difficulties women face in accessing the most privileged level of management—directorships of companies. The Canadian data are from a study of 278 women directors of corporate boards in Canada while the Australian results are from a study of 47 women directors of publicly listed companies in Australia. Despite the different time periods and geographical locations in which the studies were carried out, the profiles and responses of the two groups are quite similar. Both groups believe the current mix of directors is not adequate and that barriers still exist in nominating women to boards.