CABLE, Lipscomb launch new study on number of women on corporate boards
Courtesy of CABLE |
Lipscomb University’s College of Business has transformed the new study into a semester-long research project for a group of 22 undergraduate and graduate business students. The study will commence with a kickoff meeting at Jan. 9 where a panel of business experts will discuss the opportunities and challenges for women aspiring to become board members as well as typical board structure, the process for creating boards, etc.
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“This new study will demonstrate whether the number of women serving on corporate boards in Tennessee has increased since the 2004 results were published. CABLE, the organization that connects women and opportunity, is committed to identifying available board positions and helping women become prepared to serve on boards. The study is just one of the projects championed by CABLE's Women on Boards committee, a committee working to create opportunities for women both at the executive and board levels.”
-- Laura Smith Tidwell, president of CABLE
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The 2004 study, A Boardroom with a View: Women in Corporate Leadership, showed that women held only 7.3% (60) of the 819 corporate board seats in the 105 public companies in Tennessee. Of the 77 board seats in Tennessee’s Fortune 500 companies, women held 13% (10) of them compared to 6.7% (50) of the 742 available non-Fortune 500 board seats; and women of color held 0.7% of board seats in Tennessee. The new study will be completed by the end of the 2008 spring semester. Results will be presented to the CABLE membership at the Apr. 9 monthly networking luncheon. Results will also be shared with the Nashville community at large.
The kick-off meeting will incorporate all participants including student researchers, faculty coordinators, CABLE representatives and panelists. At the meeting, students will learn about CABLE and the Women on Boards initiative including why this study is important to CABLE and to Tennessee as a whole.
Confirmed panelists to date are:
- Diane Hayes, executive director, Young Leaders Council
- Art Rebrovick, founder and principal, NMG Advisors, Inc.
- Barbara Cannon, former CEO and board member, Celeris Corporation
- Lauren Anderson, attorney, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, P.C.
CABLE is proud to partner with Lipscomb University on such an important initiative as the Women on Boards study. Steve Little, assistant professor of management at Lipscomb University, said, “Our students are very interested in this research and are eager to join the project team. Of the 22 student researchers, 10 began work on the project in early December.” The course will be team-taught by professors in the College of Business and will include both independent research and teamwork.
Students will be required to:
- Capture data on the composition of Tennessee-based publicly traded companies’ boards and executives
- Compare the Tennessee findings with similar studies conducted in other states
- Conduct a literature review that examines why some groups (e.g. women) might be underrepresented on boards and in executive level positions and what the business implications are as a result
- Publish the team’s findings in a formal academic paper
- Present the team’s findings to CABLE.
In addition to the new study, in late March or early April, CABLE and Middle Tennessee State University will conduct an educational seminar designed to teach interested participants about what it means to be a board member and what companies are seeking in board members. This seminar will be targeted to women who occupy positions in middle management and who exhibit readiness for serving on a corporate board.
Founded in November 1978 and celebrating 30 years, CABLE is Tennessee’s largest and most active businesswomen’s networking organization with a membership of over 450 individuals. CABLE is an organization of diverse professionals that connects women and opportunity by providing effective networking forums and compelling programs. Additional information regarding CABLE is available at www.nashvillecable.org.