From Equality to Excellence: Exploring the Relationship between Gender Equality HR Policies and R&D Intensity

In an era where innovation is the key to staying competitive, understanding the role of gender diversity in fostering corporate creativity has never been more crucial. This study examined the relationship between gender equality human resource (HR) policies and a firm’s innovation focus, measured by research and development (R&D) intensity and intangible asset intensity. Utilizing a comprehensive survey dataset focused on female workers in Korean listed firms for the period 2020–2022, we found no clear evidence of a positive association between gender equality HR policies such as equal employment opportunities and gender pay equity and both R&D intensity and intangible asset intensity. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that the positive influence of these policies on R&D (intangible) intensity becomes more apparent when the proportion of female employees among the total R&D HR increases. These findings emphasize the critical role that gender-inclusive HR policies play in fostering a culture of innovation within organizations and highlight the importance of considering workforce composition while shaping innovation outcomes. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of gender equality, HR practices, and corporate innovation strategies.