BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP - EFFECTS OF SEX-BASED BIAS

This study examined whether female directors lack the necessary experi ence-based characteristics for board committee membership, or whether there is a systematic sex-based bias against them. We tested predictor s of the odds of membership on certain board committees for male and f emale directors and found evidence of sex-based bias in Fortune 300 fi rms after controlling for directors' experience-based characteristics. Men were preferred for membership in compensation, executive, and fin ance committees, and women were preferred for membership in public aff airs committees. Implications for the selection of committee members a re developed.