Marie-Christine Chalus-Sauvannet*
University Professor of Management Sciences
Director of IAE Lyon School of Management - University of Lyon
*Faculty member at the Business Science Institute
In this interview, Marie-Christine Chalus-Sauvannet, professor at IAE Lyon School of Management and a specialist in strategic intelligence, discusses the critical importance of women's representation, particularly in governance. She emphasizes the legal obligations to ensure parity and the necessity of understanding why this issue has emerged and what consequences better female representation can have on decision-making.
Chalus-Sauvannet notes that while significant progress has been made regarding gender equality, the specific impact of women on governance remains an underexplored area. She mentions a collaboration with the association Tous Gap (Gender Governance Action Platform), which brings together various women's associations from the public and private sectors. Together, they found a significant lack of data on women and governance, highlighting the need for further research.
A key point from existing studies suggests that the inclusion of women in governance can lead to more representative and sustainable decisions. Chalus-Sauvannet argues that decisions should reflect the entire population, noting that women make up 51%, and their inclusion in public and private decision-making is essential.
In terms of conflict resolution and governance, she observes that women's participation can change the dynamic, leading to more empathetic and long-term approaches. Her research on entrepreneurship and financing, particularly within business angel associations, indicates that pitches and decision-making processes become less confrontational and more supportive when women are involved. This change benefits both male and female entrepreneurs, creating a more inclusive and understanding environment.
The broader underlying issue of this discussion is the need for a more inclusive society. Chalus-Sauvannet insists that inclusivity in various sectors and organizations is crucial. She mentions initiatives such as the conference on "Women and Governance: Impact on Decision-Making." The call for papers has generated significant interest from researchers eager to explore the roles of women in various decision-making bodies, including boards of directors, cultural institutions, associations, and unions.
Marie-Christine Chalus-Sauvannet concludes that this topic has a promising future, with growing recognition of the need for gender diversity in governance to create more inclusive and effective decision-making processes.
Comments