Seats for the 51 %: Beyond the Business Case for Corporate Board Quotas in Jamaica

Abstract

There is no shortage of Jamaican women with relatively high educational levels, extensive workforce experience, and strong records of community service. In spite of this, few Jamaican women are found among top government and business leaders. In response, Jamaica's 51 % Coalition has proposed using gender quotas to increase the number of Jamaican women in Parliament and on public and private sector boards of directors. My focus in this article is the private sector. I evaluate both the desirability of Jamaican corporate gender quotas and the merits of using “Business Case” arguments to promote Jamaican quotas. Advocates of political gender quotas justify them on grounds of women's rights and representative democracy. Proponents of corporate gender quotas, on the other hand, tend to promulgate Business Case arguments, which promote gender equity as a way to boost corporate efficiency and profitability. I conclude that Jamaican gender quotas deserve recognition as one potential strategy among many required to build a gender-just and prosperous economy. The Business Case is a powerful strategic resource for the 51 % Coalition but the Coalition should not exaggerate potential efficiency gains from gender-diverse boards. Furthermore, quota advocates must deploy the Business Case carefully to avoid the pitfalls of instrumentalism, essentialism, and depoliticization that are often associated with these arguments.