Looking in while looking out: exploring women directors' insights on enablers and barriers to board representation

Abstract

This study examines the complex interplay of structural, organisational and psychosocial factors shaping women's representation and influence on corporate boards in India. While the Companies Act (2013) has increased numerical representation, women's substantive participation continues to be constrained by entrenched biases, limited access to elite networks and culturally embedded gender norms. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 women directors serving on National Stock Exchange (NSE)-listed company boards. This was followed by framework building using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that women's advancement is often driven by continual learning, strategic preparedness, purposeful networking and adaptive communication strategies, reflecting both agency and the need to navigate gendered expectations. Simultaneously, internalised self-doubt, low visibility and passive acceptance of bias emerge as self-limiting factors, while exclusionary informal networks, tokenistic appointments and the concentration of opportunities among a few known directors restrict broader inclusion. This research provides country-specific analysis of India, thus, limiting cross-industry and global insights on barriers and enablers. Future research should explore intersectional factors such as age, class and caste. Simultaneously, seeking perspectives from male counterparts can expand the understanding of existing literature. The study proposes a Self–Others Framework, capturing how women both benefit from and inadvertently reinforce structural dynamics through their experiences and choices. By integrating social role theory and agency theory, the research extends diversity scholarship and offers actionable implications for women aspiring to be or are part of boards, organisations, HR leaders, company boards and policymakers.