Research on the Impact of Female Executive Proportion on Corporate Greenwashing

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmsd.202612315

Author(s)

Mengdi Ji

Affiliation(s)

Business & Management, Zhengzhou Shengda University of Economics, Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Abstract

Greenwashing has become a major obstacle to the green transformation and sustainable development of enterprises. Based on the Upper Echelons Theory and Imprinting Theory, this study examines the relationship between the proportion of female executives and corporate greenwashing behavior using data from A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2014 and 2023. The research finds that female executives significantly promote corporate greenwashing behaviors; the proportion of female executives in key positions (CEO/Chairman) and the proportion of highly educated female executives both significantly enhance the degree of corporate greenwashing. Further research finds that the impact of the proportion of female executives on corporate greenwashing is more pronounced in private enterprises and low-pollution industries. This study provides a new theoretical perspective and empirical evidence for governing corporate greenwashing.

Keywords

Female Executives; Greenwashing; Upper Echelons Theory; Imprinting Theory

References

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