A Study of the Effect of Gender Diversity in Board of Directors on Tax Evasion Considering the Moderating Role of Social Accountability

The purpose of the present research is to study the impact of gender diversity in board of directors on tax evasion considering the moderating role of social accountability in corporations accepted in Tehran Stock Exchange during 2014 to 2021.
The research statistical population consisted of all corporations accepted in Tehran Stock Exchange, among which 105 companies were chosen as the study sample. Multivariate linear regression statistical analysis was used for the research hypothesis testing. Panel data were used for the hypothesis testing.
The research results showed that gender diversity in board of directors has a significantly positive relation with social accountability. Moreover, gender diversity in board of directors has a significantly negative relation with tax evasion. Social accountability intensifies the correlation between gender diversity in board of directors and tax evasion.
With regard to the impact of gender diversity on board of directors, it is suggested to the managers, investors, and creditors to pay more attention to gender diversity in board of directors in order to avoid the abusive behavior of directors and corporate tax evasion. Besides, it is recommended to the tax auditors to monitor companies that have social irresponsibility because they have higher risk of tax evasion. Managers of corporations which have more social accountability can take measures to attract more investment by giving transparent financial statements and highlighting their accountability to the investors.