AI-TECHNOLOGY, GENDER DIVERSE-BOARDS AND WORKPLACE DIVERSITY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DISCLOSURE

Abstract

This study determines the moderating effect of AI-technology on the impact of gender diverse-boards on workplace D&EO disclosure of companies listed on the Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX).The study used Global Reporting Initiative standard to measure D&EO disclosure variable. The investigation is based on data generated from annual reports and financial statements of companies listed on NGX over a period 2022-2024. It used the system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation techniques to assess the relationships in order to tackle the potential issue of endogeneity. Findings of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between gender diverse-boards and the level of workplace D&EO disclosure. Specifically, the study found that gender diverse-boards captured by the proportion of female on board and AI-technology measures as technologies assets are positively associated with the level of workplace D&EO disclosure. While the interaction of AI-technology with gender diverse-boards reduces the level of workplace D&EO disclosure. The findings provide insights to regulators, stakeholders and boards on mechanisms that should be deploy to drive transparency on workplace D&EO among Nigerian companies. This study extends the frontier of existing literature by providing evidence on the link between AI-technology and gender diverse-boards with workplace D&EO disclosure. This study indicates that the influence of AI-technology on workplace D&EO disclosure is different from when it is interacted with gender diverse-boards. The paper also provides initial evidence on the significance of use of AI-technology on workplace D&EO disclosure.