Gender and corporate governance academic publishing over the last three decades: systemic mapping

Anna Doś; Fragkoulis Papagiannis; Iwona Gorzeń-Mitka

doi:10.2478/ijcm-2026-0001

Abstract

Purpose

This exploratory study aims to assess the dynamic development of gender and corporate governance themes in academic publishing over the last three decades. It identifies and depicts key stages and trends of this research evolution, by including publication and citation structure, leading research priorities and trends, major themes, transformations, and/or discontinuities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study scientifically reviews 984 academic papers extracted from the Scopus database, published from 1995 to 2023, based on PRISMA. The methodology of the analysis performed employs the SciMAT software.

Findings

The findings reveal several promising sub-fields that warrant further systematic literature reviews. In particular, they highlight a rich and expanding body of research examining how the inclusion of women in corporate governance influences both financial and non-financial corporate performance, as well as monitoring and control functions, and, ultimately, overall corporate governance effectiveness. However, the results also indicate a clear thematic separation between corporate governance and business ethics, with the latter historically tending to undervalue gender inclusiveness. Moreover, the complex interplay between internal, resource-based factors and external, institutional factors shaping gender dynamics in corporate governance emerges as an important area for systematic investigation.

Originality/value

This study utilizes SciMAT software for longitudinal scientific mapping analysis, presenting an innovative update to research on gender-related and corporate governance topics. Accordingly, it overcomes the limitations of previous systematic literature reviews in the field.

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