Co-opting the environment: an empirical test of resource-dependence theory.

Through the lens of resource-dependence theory, we use the boards of 108 US and European firms to test the following variables: percentage of women, outsiders, government experience, and international members on firm internationalization. We find that the percentage of females and international members both have a positive effect on firm international diversification. Contrary to our expectations, we find that it is the percentage of insiders – and not outsiders as hypothesized – that is related to internationalization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]