Abstract: This study investigates whether the presence of women at senior management level improves gender equality environment in South Korea. I find strong empirical evidence that when the proportion of female senior managers is large, the gender gap in terms of salary and employment rate for full time employees reduces. Further, I empirically show that once glass ceiling is cracked at senior management level, female managers are more likely to be sitting at the top management of firms; a possible mechanism underlying the impact of the presence of female senior managers on gender equality environment. Finally, I document that enhanced gender equality environment improves firm performance due to more skilled female workers replacing male predecessors.

About the Speaker: Dr. Jun Myung Song got both of bachelor’s degree (majoring in Actuarial Studies, Finance and Japanese) and PhD degree (majoring in Finance) from the University of New South Wales, Australia. His first teaching experience at the university level was in 2012 as a casual tutor. At the time, he realized his passion for teaching students then moved into PhD program straight after his undergraduate degree (with Honours) to become a professor. Prior to joining VinUniversity, he served as a Research Professor at Korea University. As a Korean-born New Zealand citizen, who also has lived in multiple countries throughout Asia-Pacific, he has great cultural-awareness and various experiences to share with our VinUniversity students.