Board Diversity and Corporate Social Irresponsibility

Our study aims to examine the impact of board diversity on socially irresponsible actions (corporate social irresponsibility [CSI]). Using a sample of Spanish firms listed from 2014 to 2022, our results evidence a negative effect of diversity on CSI. This suggests that diversity in corporate decision-making promotes a more ethical and accountable organisational culture. Our research has significant implications for internal agents, since incorporating board diversity emerges as an effective instrument that can constrain CSI practices. Moreover, diversity is an advantage for directors who are sensitive to threats to their reputational capital. By reducing CSI, directors consolidate their reputation as trusted overseers, which in turn protects their current and potential appointments. JEL CLASSIFICATION G34: M14