The central aim of the proposed research is to examine whether Chinese listed firms’ default risks and R&D are associated with CEO gender during financial crisis, e.g. the Covid-19 pandemic.
The objectives are:
Determine the effects of female CEOs and board gender diversity in Chinese listed firms on firm performance, investment, and default risk management .
Verify the testable predictions of the theory based on empirical data the Chinese Securities Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR).
Undertake a statistical analysis of the data in order to identify the role that a female CEO plays in managing firm default risks and investment.
Investigate whether female CEOs are more risk averse and less entrepreneurial regarding firm investment.
Provide policy implications on board diversity and its contribution to a better corporate governance environment in Chinese financial markets.