Gender relations and care for the environment in enterprises – an in-depth analysis
A dissertation discussed at the University of Padua debates the relationships between gender diversity and ESG
Gender disparity – an occurrence that is still very widespread in different areas of the economic system, not just in Italy, but perhaps in Italy more than elsewhere. A paradox – though only an apparent one – in a world that is increasingly freer, more open and interconnected, and that should be inclusive rather than exclusive. It is around these topics that Vera Artuso’s research work, now an economic degree’s dissertation entitled Gender diversity nel governo d’impresa e performance ambientale (Gender diversity in corporate governance and environmental performance), discussed at the University of Padua, revolves.
Artuso starts by observing real-life happenings: “In a world marked by innovation, by progress in sustainable, cultural and social development, gender disparity in enterprises still represents a significant issue in many countries, among which, unfortunately, Italy.” The goal of this investigation is to analyse “the potential of women’s roles within enterprises, with a particular focus on sustainable and environmental performance.” In addition to this, Artuso attempts to provide “information and proof that could lead to this realisation and that could help readers best understand how the issue of climate change is deeply tied to gender disparity, highlighting the need of acting in a different way than we did up to now.”
Artuso sets some ambitious tasks for herself, which in this investigation are tackled first through the analysis of the issues inherent in setting female quotas and then through an in-depth examination of the links and influence of women within ESG activities. Subsequently, the research proceeds to scrutinise a particular segment – banking – in order to verify what was previously unearthed.
Artuso concludes that, “Consolidating a female presence in enterprises not only helps us achieve an egalitarian society but also has positive implications for environmental issues, allowing for an improvement of sustainable performance.” At the same time, however, the research finds that “laws concerning compulsory minimum quotas are not enough to generate an appropriate level of awareness, precisely because the well-known ‘glass ceiling’ rests on issues such as gender stereotypes and the conviction that these cannot be dispelled through the mere enforcement of figures imposed by the authorities. Nonetheless, the same moral and intellectual attitudes that evince the exclusion of women can be employed to explain the motivational drive of women, who find themselves more engaged in activities that support the company and especially the environment.”
Rules but also global perspective, organisational culture but also different sensibilities – these seem to be the main elements outlined by Artuso’s research, which shows how varied and complex gender relations are, and how they should be enhanced and certainly not lost.
Gender diversity nel governo d’impresa e performance ambientale (Gender diversity in corporate governance and environmental performance)
Vera Artuso
Thesis, University of Padua, M. Fanno Department of Economics and Business Sciences, Degree in Economics, 2021-2022
A dissertation discussed at the University of Padua debates the relationships between gender diversity and ESG
Gender disparity – an occurrence that is still very widespread in different areas of the economic system, not just in Italy, but perhaps in Italy more than elsewhere. A paradox – though only an apparent one – in a world that is increasingly freer, more open and interconnected, and that should be inclusive rather than exclusive. It is around these topics that Vera Artuso’s research work, now an economic degree’s dissertation entitled Gender diversity nel governo d’impresa e performance ambientale (Gender diversity in corporate governance and environmental performance), discussed at the University of Padua, revolves.
Artuso starts by observing real-life happenings: “In a world marked by innovation, by progress in sustainable, cultural and social development, gender disparity in enterprises still represents a significant issue in many countries, among which, unfortunately, Italy.” The goal of this investigation is to analyse “the potential of women’s roles within enterprises, with a particular focus on sustainable and environmental performance.” In addition to this, Artuso attempts to provide “information and proof that could lead to this realisation and that could help readers best understand how the issue of climate change is deeply tied to gender disparity, highlighting the need of acting in a different way than we did up to now.”
Artuso sets some ambitious tasks for herself, which in this investigation are tackled first through the analysis of the issues inherent in setting female quotas and then through an in-depth examination of the links and influence of women within ESG activities. Subsequently, the research proceeds to scrutinise a particular segment – banking – in order to verify what was previously unearthed.
Artuso concludes that, “Consolidating a female presence in enterprises not only helps us achieve an egalitarian society but also has positive implications for environmental issues, allowing for an improvement of sustainable performance.” At the same time, however, the research finds that “laws concerning compulsory minimum quotas are not enough to generate an appropriate level of awareness, precisely because the well-known ‘glass ceiling’ rests on issues such as gender stereotypes and the conviction that these cannot be dispelled through the mere enforcement of figures imposed by the authorities. Nonetheless, the same moral and intellectual attitudes that evince the exclusion of women can be employed to explain the motivational drive of women, who find themselves more engaged in activities that support the company and especially the environment.”
Rules but also global perspective, organisational culture but also different sensibilities – these seem to be the main elements outlined by Artuso’s research, which shows how varied and complex gender relations are, and how they should be enhanced and certainly not lost.
Gender diversity nel governo d’impresa e performance ambientale (Gender diversity in corporate governance and environmental performance)
Vera Artuso
Thesis, University of Padua, M. Fanno Department of Economics and Business Sciences, Degree in Economics, 2021-2022