Skirting the issue – That was the headline of an article in the latest release of “The Economist”. The impuls was set by the upcoming trend in European countries to introduce women’s quota for boards. France and Spain wants to have 40 % share of women on boards until 2016 (Spain until 2015). Norway already underwent the process of fulfilling quotas for female board members. A success or a disaster? Do quotas tackle a symptom of discrimination or the cause? [EN]

 There seems to be an upcoming trend for establishing quotas by legislation in European countries. 40 % is the target in France and Spain until 2016 respectively 2015 in Spain. Even England who seems to be very advanced with 12 % share of female board members (compared with 15 % board seats of Fortune 500 companies in the US) threatened to make companies report formally on their recruitment of female directors. But do quotas really change things?

Norway already run through the time of quota. In 2005 Norwegian government gave listed firms two years to put women in 40 % of board seats on pain of liquidation. The result: There seemed to be some difficulties to get experienced women for high level positions because the pipeline was not filled with qualified women. And therefore the charm of women on boards seemes to be disappeared for the benefit of fulfilling a quota.

But what most prevents women from reaching the boardroom, is a widespread idea, is a mix of old boys club at the top and missing hands on business experience of women. “The Economist” article concludes that the best way to increase the number of women on boards is to ensure that more women gain the right experience further down the corporate hierarchy. Imposing quotas for women in boardrooms would just tackle a symptom of discrimination, not the cause! What do you think? Quota or integral cure?

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Tags: board, CEO, legislation, old boys club, quota, Women in Leadership

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