Investigating Gender Gap in Editorial Boards of Finance Journals: A Social Network Perspective

Abstract

This study explores gender disparities and network connections among Finance journal editors worldwide, focusing on the crucial role these editors play in shaping academic fields and promoting diversity and equity in publishing. Despite efforts by publishers to present gender profiles and maintain balance in reviewer selection, significant gender imbalances persist, particularly affecting women's representation on editorial boards. Utilizing network analysis, the study documents the prevalence of a few highly connected editors and underscores the gender disparity in editorial roles, highlighting the need for policy interventions to enhance diversity and inclusion. Utilizing various typological metrics, we identify a core group of highly interconnected editors who hold positions on multiple boards. The gender distribution remains skewed towards men, even among editors with central roles or those serving on numerous boards. This research underscores the persistent gender gaps within academic publishing networks and calls for a deeper understanding and remediation of these disparities to foster diversity and equity in the academic landscape.