Board Gender Diversity impact on the Social dimension of ESG in European firms.

This thesis examines the relationship between board gender diversity and the social dimension of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance in European firms. It investigates how increasing female representation on corporate boards influences social outcomes such as employee welfare, workplace inclusivity, and community engagement. By analyzing a comprehensive dataset of 54 large-cap European companies from 2015 to 2023 and conducting in-depth case studies of four leading firms L’Oréal, SAP, IKEA, and Banco Santander the research employs a qualitative-dominant mixed-method approach. The study contrasts the effects of legislated gender quotas against voluntary diversity initiatives, revealing that firms with higher proportions of women on their boards tend to implement more robust social policies. The findings provide evidence that enhanced board diversity is associated with improved social ESG metrics, offering actionable insights for policymakers and corporate leaders seeking to foster sustainable, inclusive business practices in an increasingly competitive global market.