The Impact of Board Gender Diversity Commitment on Firm Performance Moderated by Board Characteristics: Evidence From Sustainable European Firms and Financial Orientation

ABSTRACT The main goal of this study is to explore the moderating role of board gender diversity on the relationship between CEO duality, board size, board meetings, and firm performance in sustainable companies. This study examines the 120 most sustainable European firms listed in the EuroNext Vigeo Europe 120 Index from 2012 to 2021, with the findings showing that board gender diversity negatively moderates the relationship between CEO duality and firm performance, while positively moderating board meetings' impact. Furthermore, in banking‐oriented countries, board gender diversity positively moderates the relationship between board meetings and firm performance, while these effects are not significant in market‐oriented countries. The paper highlights that despite progress in increasing representation, mechanisms to ensure effective female participation in board decision‐making are required. This study is the first to examine how board gender diversity moderates the impact of board characteristics and CEO duality on sustainable firm performance in different financial orientations.