The board of a corporation makes sure the company is compliant with state, federal and self-governing laws and that it acts in an ethical manner. The board s primary goal is to foster a long-term vision of change and growth. The director takes the role of steward, helping guide the company. In turn, it is the shareholders responsibility to intervene with the board if situations occur. Shareholders can contact boards, create shareholder resolutions and vote by proxy to effect an organizations policies and practices.
Shareholders have the responsibility to vote for all directors, whether in person or by proxy.
However, these statistics are not reflected in the upper echelons of most corporations. Barriers to Advancement Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management. Minorities and women are stopped by the artificial glass ceiling, socially constructed to impede them from reaching their full potential and holding upper level positions. Yet change is happening as competition makes companies look at hiring practices and the diversity of their boards and CEOs. Successful companies are recognizing the competitive advantage associated with increasing diversity.