Beyond Politics – the Spread of Gender Quota to Corporate Boards

The gender quota instrument has had a particularly strong position within in Norwegian gender equality policy, and been consider pivotal to understanding why Norway ranks among the world’s most gender equal societies. Quota measures have been established to secure gender balance within central parts of the Norwegian society: in party politics, in the corporate channel (publicly appointed commissions etc.), and recently within central parts of the business life (corporate boards). This paper describes the experiences with and effects of quota arrangements within these three areas. It then aims to explain the diffusion of the quota policy from the spheres of politics to the economy: from party politics and the corporative channel to corporate boards. I base the analysis on the framework developed within historical institutionalism emphasizing the interrelationship of national traditions (path-dependency), exogenous shocks and critical junctures. The diffusion of gender quotas beyond politics can be understood by examining the interaction of these factors.