Desempenho financeiro e a participação das mulheres no conselho de administração de cooperativas agropecuárias brasileiras sob a ótica institucional

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between financial performance, measured by ROA (Return on Assets), and the participation of women on the board of directors of Brazilian agricultural cooperatives, from the perspective of Douglass North's Institutional Theory. The central hypothesis is that positive financial performance increases visibility and attracts formal and informal institutional pressures, fostering the inclusion of women on these boards. To test this hypothesis, a quantitative approach was adopted, employing an econometric model applied to a sample of 213 cooperatives, analyzing financial data from the years 2021 and 2022. The results indicated that ROA has a positive and significant relationship with the proportion of women on boards of directors. We concluded that financial performance works as an indicator of alignment with institutional demands for inclusive practices, thereby meeting social expectations. This study contributes to advancing knowledge on cooperative governance and promoting gender equity in the Brazilian agricultural sector.