M.A. Thesis:

Institutional Ownership ٫ Board Diversity and Innovation

Seasoned innovation is a success in all organizations today and the difference is only in its purpose and achievements. Increased competitiveness and survival motivation have led many organizations to focus their activities on core productivity and core capabilities, which requires investing in research and technological innovation. The main purpose of this research is to determine the institutional ownership and innovation with moderating role of diversity in the board. The research was conducted for a 5-year period between 2014 to 2018 and in 148 companies active in Tehran Stock Exchange. Sample data of the companies studied were analyzed by Excel using software and analyzed by Aviv software. The results showed that there is a positive relationship between institutional ownership and innovation and this relationship is significant. Institutional ownership is a type of ownership focus, in which companies are given easier access to decision making due to the structure of ownership and on the other hand today's organizations have come to realize innovation as a feature that creates value in them and therefore focus on their decisions. Gender diversity also moderates the relationship between institutional ownership and innovation, and the relationship is positive and significant. The presence of women in the board of directors, given the specific characteristics that they have, are often sought after to achieve maximum value in their organizations, which innovation can provide for this purpose.

Keywords: Institutional Ownership - Innovation - Diversity in the Board of Directors