Diversity among Italian boardrooms: does a quota of women improve corporate giving?

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between female presence on boardrooms and corporate social responsibility. The under-representation of women on boardrooms is a heavy discussed topic, not only in Italy. Based on a critical mass theory and with 628 observations taken from a sample of Italian listed companies, from 2011 to 2013, we evidence that a higher percentage of female members in boardrooms tends to have higher level of corporate giving (considered as a form of corporate philanthropy).