摘要
A number of research studies have dealt with the relationship between diversity and effectiveness of corporate boards. The present paper makes an attempt to provide an international perspective on diversity and effectiveness of corporate boards and examines such relationship in detail in the case of India. The paper presents the theory relating to diversity and board effectiveness with particular reference to women on boards. The position of diversity as related to the boards of National Stock Exchange （NSE） listed 511 companies and the 245 state-owned enterprises （SOEs） by the Government of India （GoI） is reflected in the paper. It then examines gender diversity specifically in the case of India and Singapore. Drawing from the evidence of diversity in the case of global companies, it offers the rationale for making boards global in composition and character. The paper highlights an interestiiag issue： whether the boards should have younger or veteran members？ This follows a discussion on diversity of boards in terms of skills, age, and personalities. Finally, the paper makes suggestions for balance boards to enhance their effectiveness and brings out lessons for the corporate organizations to promote diversity of their boards.
