Vertical Occupational Gender Segregation at the Board Level: Evidence from Selected CEE Countries

Abstract

Purpose | The purpose of this article is to examine board-level gender diversity in se¬lected Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, in light of European Union (EU) targets for women’s participation in corporate governance.Research method | The study employs a descriptive-comparative research design, based on structural indicator analysis tracking gender representation in corporate boards across the four selected countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland) over the years 2014–2024. The empirical analysis draws on publicly available data from four international sources (Eurostat, the European Institute for Gender Equality, the International Labour Organisation, the World Value Survey), and is complemented by a selective review of theoretical and empirical literature on vertical occupational gender segregation, corporate governance and EU gender equality policy.Results | The empirical analysis reveals persistent underrepresentation of women on corporate boards in all four countries throughout the observed period. According to the study none of the analysed countries has met the EU targets. The analysis further identifies employment gaps, childcare provision shortfalls and cultural attitudes to¬wards gender roles as structural correlates of this underrepresentation. Originality / value / implications / recommendations | The study offers a comparative perspective on board-level gender diversity in the Baltic States and Poland, linked to EU targets and a theoretical framework. It highlights the need for research beyond large, listed companies and underscores that achieving a critical mass of female rep¬resentation is essential for meaningful influence in corporate governance.