Exhibit 5.4 shows us the percent of female directors on corporate boards as a percentage of total in various countries in 2010 and 2015. During those five years, every country shown had increased its percentage of women directors. France had the most significant change of just 13% in 2010 to nearly 35% by 2015. I only wonder how much more these figures have changed over the last five years!
While these are positive changes, women are still at a disadvantage in director positions – especially in terms of international business. Many foreign countries still show extreme prejudice towards women executives. The text notes that in many cultures, women are not found in upper-level management positions. Therefore, in the United States, women represent less than 20% of employees chosen for international assignments. This figure really surprised me; before reading this chapter I was not aware of how few women had foreign positions! Hopefully, over the next decade, we continue to see improvements around the world for women in international business!