Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance
Abstract
This study empirically investigates the impact of the proportion of female employees on firm performance in the airline industry. Panel data analysis was conducted using data from 25 globally operating airline companies for the period from 2019 to 2023. The primary objective of the study is to measure the effect of the proportion of female employees (EMPFEM) on the profitability of airline companies. In this context, EMPFEM is identified as the main independent variable, while profitability performance is evaluated through three key dependent variables: return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and return on sales (ROS). The analysis results reveal that EMPFEM has a positive and statistically significant effect on ROA and ROS, while no significant relationship was found with ROE. These findings suggest that gender diversity can be a strategic factor enhancing performance of the airline companies. The study is evaluated within the frameworks of the resource-based view and corporate social responsibility perspectives, highlighting that diversity policies may contribute to financial performance. The results indicate that increasing female employment is important not only from a gender equality standpoint but also in terms of sustainable profitability and competitive advantage in the airline industry.
Keywords
References
- Abdi, Y., & Mohammadi, M. (2025). Moderating Role of Strategic Ownership on Board Composition and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Performance in Global Airlines: Insights From Full‐Service and Low‐ Cost Carriers. Strategic Change, 34(2), 277-303.
- Chang, Y., Wu, K.-T., Lin, S.-H., & Lin, C.-J. (2024). Board gender diversity and corporate social responsibility. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 9(7). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40991-024-00095-x
- Clardy, A. (2008). Human resource development and the resource-based model of core competencies: Methods for diagnosis and assessment. Human Resource Development Review, 7(4), 387–407.
- Conyon, M. J., & He, L. (2017). Firm performance and boardroom gender diversity: A quantile regression approach. Journal of Business Research, 79, 198–211.
- Corazza, M. V. (2024). Flying high: Revealing the sustainability potential of women in aviation. Sustainability, 16(16), 7229.
- Costa, Q., Soares, J., & Costa, A. (2020, December 5). Gender equality potential in aviation. Aviation in the XXI- ST Century 2020 https://conference.nau.edu.ua/index.php/Congress/Congress2020/paper/viewFile/7592/6287
- Durbin, S., Lopes, A., Neugebauer, J., & Warren, S. (2016, Jun 6). Mentoring for equality: Women activists creating change in the UK aviation and aerospace industry. Acting for Women and Equalities in Organizations? Gender, Work and Organization Conference. https://uwe- repository.worktribe.com/output/911058
- Eagly, A. H., & Karau, S. J. (2002). Role congruity theory of prejudice toward female leaders. Psychological review, 109(3), 573.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Business Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Early Pub Date
October 10, 2025
Publication Date
October 19, 2025
Submission Date
June 30, 2025
Acceptance Date
September 22, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 3
APA
Durak, M. Ş. (2025). Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance. Journal of Aviation, 9(3), 694-702. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1729023
AMA
1.Durak MŞ. Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance. JAV. 2025;9(3):694-702. doi:10.30518/jav.1729023
Chicago
Durak, Mehmet Şahin. 2025. “Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance”. Journal of Aviation 9 (3): 694-702. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1729023.
EndNote
Durak MŞ (October 1, 2025) Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance. Journal of Aviation 9 3 694–702.
IEEE
[1]M. Ş. Durak, “Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance”, JAV, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 694–702, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.30518/jav.1729023.
ISNAD
Durak, Mehmet Şahin. “Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance”. Journal of Aviation 9/3 (October 1, 2025): 694-702. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1729023.
JAMA
1.Durak MŞ. Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance. JAV. 2025;9:694–702.
MLA
Durak, Mehmet Şahin. “Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance”. Journal of Aviation, vol. 9, no. 3, Oct. 2025, pp. 694-02, doi:10.30518/jav.1729023.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Şahin Durak. Flying Towards Equality: The Role of Female Employees in Enhancing Airline Performance. JAV. 2025 Oct. 1;9(3):694-702. doi:10.30518/jav.1729023