TY - JOUR

T1 - Does Board Diversity Affect Firm Performance in Kuwait?

AU - Alqatan, Ahmed

AU - Hussainey, Khaled

AU - Hichri , Abir

PY - 2025/1/20

Y1 - 2025/1/20

N2 - Purpose: This paper examines the consequences of board diversity in Kuwait. The objective is to measure the impact of gender, age, and national diversity on firm performance (FP).Design/methodology/approach: This work uses data from 103 non-financial Kuwaiti listed companies in the period from 2010 to 2017. The data was collected from secondary sources such as annual reports and S&P Capital IQ. Firm performance is measured by ROA, ROE and Tobin's Q. The independent variables are gender diversity, age diversity and nationality diversity.Findings: The findings show mixed results regarding gender, age, national diversity and firm performance.Practical Implications: By embracing board diversity, firms in Kuwait can enhance their corporate governance, drive innovation and improve overall performance, positioning themselves competitively in local and global markets. Thus, by prioritising and effectively managing board diversity in terms of gender, age, and nationality, firms can enhance their performance, drive innovation, and maintain competitiveness.Originality/Value: Board diversity is a relatively underexplored area in the context of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Kuwait. The originality and value of examining the impact of gender, age, and nationality diversity on firm performance in Kuwait are multifaceted, highlighting unique cultural, economic, and regulatory aspects.

AB - Purpose: This paper examines the consequences of board diversity in Kuwait. The objective is to measure the impact of gender, age, and national diversity on firm performance (FP).Design/methodology/approach: This work uses data from 103 non-financial Kuwaiti listed companies in the period from 2010 to 2017. The data was collected from secondary sources such as annual reports and S&P Capital IQ. Firm performance is measured by ROA, ROE and Tobin's Q. The independent variables are gender diversity, age diversity and nationality diversity.Findings: The findings show mixed results regarding gender, age, national diversity and firm performance.Practical Implications: By embracing board diversity, firms in Kuwait can enhance their corporate governance, drive innovation and improve overall performance, positioning themselves competitively in local and global markets. Thus, by prioritising and effectively managing board diversity in terms of gender, age, and nationality, firms can enhance their performance, drive innovation, and maintain competitiveness.Originality/Value: Board diversity is a relatively underexplored area in the context of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Kuwait. The originality and value of examining the impact of gender, age, and nationality diversity on firm performance in Kuwait are multifaceted, highlighting unique cultural, economic, and regulatory aspects.

U2 - 10.1108/RAF-06-2024-0258

DO - 10.1108/RAF-06-2024-0258

M3 - Article

JO - Review of Accounting and Finance

JF - Review of Accounting and Finance

SN - 1475-7702

ER -