"Bible Belt Regions Showcase Reversal in Women CEO Compensation Trends"
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Business Ethics on June 1, 2025, researchers from Brock University have shed light on the intricate dynamics of gender and religiosity in executive leadership in the United States. The study, titled "Religiosity and Gender Dynamics in Executive Leadership: Impact on CEO Appointments and Pay Disparities," was led by Samir Trabelsi, Professor of Accounting at Brock University, and co-authored by Maryam Vashahi (MSc '23).
The study analysed 2,936 CEO transitions in U.S.-listed firms between 1998 and 2021. Contrary to expectations, the findings revealed an "exceptionalism premium" for women CEOs in religious states, meaning they were paid more than their male peers. However, it's important to note that women CEOs in more secular states continued to earn less than their male counterparts.
The study also found no significant relationship between local religiosity and the appointment of female CEOs in the United States. This suggests that while religious states may have a higher number of women CEOs, it's not solely due to the influence of religion.
Companies with more women on their boards were significantly more likely to appoint a woman CEO, implying a positive correlation between gender diversity on boards and women's representation in leadership roles in the United States. However, the study did not provide information on which U.S. states had the highest number of women CEOs in publicly traded companies from 1998 to 2021.
The study's findings highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that either create barriers or open pathways for women's advancement in CEO roles in the United States. Breaking the glass ceiling is only the first step; ensuring women are supported, compensated fairly, and empowered once they reach leadership roles is the real challenge.
In Canada, the story is different. Canadian women executives still earn about 40% less in total compensation than their male counterparts on average. As of 2024, only about 5% of TSX-listed companies had a woman CEO.
The study hopes to spark broader conversations about governance and gender equity in the United States. Canadian regulators and boards could strengthen diversity and pay equity initiatives to help more women reach CEO roles and ensure fair compensation. Some firms may promote women as a diversity signal but fail to provide equitable pay, a practice known as performative diversity.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing gender disparities in executive leadership in the United States and pave the way for future research in this area. As we strive for a more equitable society, understanding and addressing these complex issues is crucial.
Read also:
- chaos unveiled on Clowning Street: week 63's antics from 'Two-Tier Keir' and his chaotic Labour Circus
- Skechers Debuts First American Stores Focused on Athletic Footwear Performance
- Racing ahead in Renewable Energy Dominance: Changzhou, Jiangsu Pushes for Worldwide Renewable Energy Ascendancy
- Funds Amounting to Over Two Hundred Million Rupees Collected on Impact Guru to Aid Punjab's Flood Victims in Reconstructing Their Homes
