Article: A holistic framework to examine the effects of women on profitability and corporate social responsibility Journal: International Journal of Electronic Finance (IJEF) 2026 Vol.15 No.2 pp.203 - 223 Abstract: How do female and independent directors affect social conscience and financial success? Evaluation of the playing surface and executive directors is an effective business management strategy in nations with growing capital markets. Upper-echelon theory was used to create a publicly available index of directors' qualities to manage gender diversity and the economy. The study adds to knowledge by employing a composite indicator of financial performance created by applying the multi-way technique to panel data and by developing ten CSR panel models using five financial indicators and two gender diversity proxies. The results show that gender diversity on boards improves CSR reporting significantly. We see no outside directors affecting CSR reporting. Non-executive directors on a board have minimal influence over CSR reporting decisions; hence, their existence is essentially immaterial nationally. Controlled variables like leverage, board size, and board meeting frequency strongly affect CSR reporting. Our findings provide a new viewpoint on social responsibility reporting, particularly in India. We also get reliable results when other parameters are included. Our study has broad consequences. Our study adds to CSR knowledge. It emphasises the need for autonomous female and director roles in CSR reporting decisions. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A holistic framework to examine the effects of women on profitability and corporate social responsibility

Authors: Avantika Raina

Addresses: Vivekananda School of Business Studies (VSBS), Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS), Pitampura, Delhi, India; Affiliated to: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka, Delhi, India

Abstract: How do female and independent directors affect social conscience and financial success? Evaluation of the playing surface and executive directors is an effective business management strategy in nations with growing capital markets. Upper-echelon theory was used to create a publicly available index of directors' qualities to manage gender diversity and the economy. The study adds to knowledge by employing a composite indicator of financial performance created by applying the multi-way technique to panel data and by developing ten CSR panel models using five financial indicators and two gender diversity proxies. The results show that gender diversity on boards improves CSR reporting significantly. We see no outside directors affecting CSR reporting. Non-executive directors on a board have minimal influence over CSR reporting decisions; hence, their existence is essentially immaterial nationally. Controlled variables like leverage, board size, and board meeting frequency strongly affect CSR reporting. Our findings provide a new viewpoint on social responsibility reporting, particularly in India. We also get reliable results when other parameters are included. Our study has broad consequences. Our study adds to CSR knowledge. It emphasises the need for autonomous female and director roles in CSR reporting decisions.

Keywords: sustainability investment; open innovation; independent directors; female managers; CSR reporting; corporate governance; upper-echelon theory; non-executive directors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEF.2026.152732

International Journal of Electronic Finance, 2026 Vol.15 No.2, pp.203 - 223

Received: 10 Jul 2023
Accepted: 08 Oct 2023
Published online: 08 Apr 2026 *

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Title: A holistic framework to examine the effects of women on profitability and corporate social responsibility

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