Gender diversity in senior management and corporate success: empirical evidence from Kuwait

Purpose This study aims to investigate the financial performance and corporate governance of financial services companies listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) between 2019 and 2023, with particular emphasis on gender diversity in leadership roles. Design/methodology/approach The analysis draws on financial and governance data of listed firms, focusing on profitability, liquidity, leverage and administrative expenses. Regression techniques are used to examine the relationship between gender representation in leadership and firm performance. Findings Results reveal significant variations in profitability and disparities in liquidity, leverage and administrative expenses across firms. Women occupy only 7.0% of board seats and 3.6% of executive positions, highlighting persistent underrepresentation in senior leadership. While female board membership does not show a direct impact on firm performance, gender diversity at the executive level is positively associated with financial outcomes. Furthermore, companies with higher leverage and limited liquidity tend to have fewer women in leadership roles, whereas larger firms are more likely to appoint women to senior management. Regression results confirm that female representation in executive positions significantly predicts financial success, indicating that gender-diverse leadership enhances decision-making and innovation. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to financial services companies listed on the KSE between 2019 and 2023, which may restrict generalizability to other contexts. The relatively small proportion of women in leadership may also affect statistical strength. Nonetheless, the research provides valuable insights into a region where empirical evidence on gender diversity and corporate governance is scarce. By highlighting executive gender diversity as a driver of financial performance, this study offers a foundation for future cross-sector and cross-country investigations that can further validate and expand these findings. Practical implications The findings underline the strategic value of promoting female participation in executive management. Policymakers and business leaders should encourage gender-inclusive leadership practices to strengthen decision-making, innovation and overall performance in the financial sector. Social implications The findings emphasize the broader societal importance of gender-inclusive leadership in fostering sustainable corporate success. By demonstrating the positive financial impact of women in executive roles, this study challenges prevailing stereotypes and underscores the need to dismantle cultural and institutional barriers that limit women’s advancement. Enhancing female representation in decision-making positions contributes not only to corporate innovation and competitiveness but also to national development goals aligned with social equity and gender equality. Encouraging women’s participation in leadership supports Kuwait’s broader economic diversification and modernization strategies, reinforcing inclusive growth and societal progress. Originality/value This study provides new empirical evidence from Kuwait, a region where research on gender diversity in financial services remains limited. By highlighting the positive association between women in executive leadership and financial success, the paper contributes to the global discourse on corporate governance and gender diversity.