Shifting perspectives: How scrutiny shapes the relationship between CEO gender and acquisition activity

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Gamache, Daniel L.; Devers, Cynthia E.; Klein, Felice B.; Hannigan, Timothy
• 署名单位: University System of Georgia; University of Georgia; Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University; Boise State University; University of Alberta; University System of Georgia; University of Georgia
• 刊物名称: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0143-2095
• DOI: 10.1002/smj.3529
• 发表日期: 2023
• 页码: 3012-3041
• 关键词: CEO gender; CEO job demands; Mergers and Acquisitions; strategic leadership; upper echelons theory

摘要

Research Summary Several upper echelons studies have found that firms led by female executives are less likely to engage in risky endeavors than those led by male top executives. We argue that conceptualizing female CEOs as universally conservative decision-makers may paint too simplistic a picture and that the impact of CEO gender on strategic decision-making may vary significantly depending on the given situation CEOs are experiencing. We integrate executive job demands and gender research to propose that scrutiny will exhibit differential effects on female and male CEOs' acquisition activity. We show that in high-scrutiny contexts, the difference between male and female CEO acquisition activity disappears. In contrast, in low-scrutiny contexts, the difference between male and female CEOs' acquisition activity is exaggerated.Managerial SummarySubstantial research has shown that female executives acquire at a lower rate than male executives. We argue that viewing female CEOs as universally conservative decision-makers may paint too simplistic a picture and that the impact of CEO gender on strategic decision-making may vary significantly depending on the given situation CEOs are experiencing. In particular, we argue and find that in high-scrutiny contexts, the difference between male and female CEO acquisition activity disappears. This research suggests that managers should consider the impact of environmental context-especially the role of scrutiny-when considering the risk propensity of female leaders.