Does the sector matter? Italian Innovative SME’s and Board Gender Diversity: impact on firms’ performance

This study explores the impact of board gender diversity on the financial performance of Italian Innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and investigates whether sector-specific characteristics influence this relationship. Findings reveal a sector-dependent effect, with the presence of women on boards showing a statistically significant negative association with firm performance, particularly in high-growth sectors. These results challenge prior literature suggesting uniformly positive outcomes of gender diversity and underscore the complexity of its effects in different industrial contexts.