Impact of board gender diversity on anti-corruption disclosure: analysis in the context of the Sapin II law in France

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of board gender diversity on corporate anti-corruption disclosure (ACD) and the role of the Sapin II Law.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used panel data regressions on a sample of French listed firms from 2010–2020. Keywords-based content analysis is used to measure ACD. Additionally, the Difference-in-Differences (DID) model investigate whether the ACD levels with high and low female directors’ changes before and after the Sapin II Law.

Findings

There is a positive relationship between female directors and corporate ACD. This relation is particularly significant in firms who applies the Sapin II Law.

Research limitations/implications

The authors focus solely on larger French listed companies, which may not reflect small and medium-sized businesses. Due to data limitations, the authors could not include demographic factors like age, education and experience that could influence company behavior. Furthermore, self-reported data may not adequately reveal illicit practices within these companies.

Practical implications

The relationship between board gender diversity and corruption disclosure informs policymakers on reforms for female directors. The findings also aid investors and suggest that managers should view gender diversity as a governance tool to reduce corruption.

Originality/value

This paper is original in focusing on ACD and using a DID methodology to assess the impact of the Sapin II Law. It uniquely investigates threshold effects between board gender diversity and ACD and examines the French context, including the Copé-Zimmermann Law’s gender diversity mandate.

Citation

Radhouani, R. and Ajina, A. (2025), "Impact of board gender diversity on anti-corruption disclosure: analysis in the context of the Sapin II law in France", Gender in Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-01-2024-0052