Culture and context matter: gender in international business and management

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Eden ◽  
Susan Forquer Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
International Business ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rich Countries ◽  
Very High

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to argue that culture and context (policy and environment) are key factors affecting gender inequalities within and across countries. Design/methodology/approach This paper applies conceptual and descriptive statistics. Findings The authors found evidence of increasing gender equality in the workplace, but only for rich countries. Gender inequalities persist in the poorest countries, and the gap between rich and poor countries appears to be widening not narrowing. Research limitations/implications This paper demonstrates the need for a comprehensive research program on gender and international business. Practical implications The authors provided useful statistics that could possibly be picked up by newspapers. The paper also highlights the need for a more sustained research program on gender and development. Social implications This paper demonstrates that the public perception of increasing gender equality applies only in very high development (rich) countries. In fact, gender inequality rises as economic development levels decline across countries, and the gap between very high and low countries has widened over the past 15 years. Originality/value The empirical findings with respect to gender inequality across United Nations Development Program country categories over time are, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, novel and original. Relating the gender inequality gap to culture and context highlights the roles that social issues and the environment play in affecting gender inequality across countries and across time.

Equal pay, equal access

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Equal Pay ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Global workforces are still impacted by gender inequalities – there remains a gender gap in pay, in access to roles of responsibility and in terms of work-life balance. A challenge facing gender equality in the workplace is an agreed definition – organizations, managers and employees have different social representations of gender equality and place differing levels of importance on different dimensions. This can affect implementation of gender equality policies in the workplace, which rely on the goodwill of individuals to put policy into practice. Organizations need to recognize which dimensions are most important to their workplace in order to successfully implement equality. Originality The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Gender inequality in the work environment: a study of private research organizations in India

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namrata Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Indian Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ideal Woman

Purpose Since liberalization in the 1990s, India has witnessed a growth in the number of educated middle-class women in professions. However, there are few women in leadership positions and decision-making bodies. While the earlier notion of the ideal woman as homemaker has been replaced by one which idealizes women of substance, a woman’s role in the family continues to be pivotal and is even viewed as central in defining Indian culture. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how and to what extent gender inequalities are reproduced in the organizations employing educated professionals. Design/methodology/approach Based on the perspective that gender is socially constructed, this paper analyzes gender inequality in Indian organizations through semi-structured interviews of men and women scientists in two private pharmaceutical laboratories. Findings The findings show reproduction of a gendered normative order through two types of norms and practices: one, norms and practices that favor men and second, socio-cultural norms that devalue women in public spaces which help to maintain masculinity in the workplace. Although these practices might be found elsewhere in the world, the manner in which they are enacted reflects national cultural norms. Originality/value The paper highlights how various norms and practices enacted in the specific Indian socio-cultural context construct and maintain masculinity at workplace depriving opportunities to professional women which affect their rise to leadership positions.

Gender Inequality in Work Organizations

2021 ◽  
pp. 75-99
Author(s):  
Safak Oz Aktepe
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
The Other ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Work Organizations ◽  
Hrm Practices ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Two Sides

In this chapter, the author aims to present, through a review of literature, that the gender equality assumption of the human resource management (HRM) approach is not taken for granted. It seems there exist two sides of the same coin, one representing the HRM approach and the other representing the gendered approach to HRM practices. This chapter reviews HRM practices in work organizations as the potential facilitator of gender inequalities in organizations. In addition, the contentious function of HRM practices in maintaining gender inequalities within work organizations is reviewed. In spite of knowing the implication of HRM practices on being a gender-diverse organization, there remain few studies on the relationship between HRM practices and gender inequality in work organizations. Such research will add a different perspective to HRM practices and contribute to the awareness related to the gendered nature of organizations and their organizational practices.

scholarly journals Social Gender Inequality in the Member, Candidate, Potential Canditate Transition Economies of the European Union and Turkey

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Nuray GÖKÇEK KARACA ◽  
Azmi Recep ÖZDAŞ
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Transition Economies ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
United Nations Development Program ◽  
The Eu

In this research, a comparative analysis of the gender inequalities between Turkey the member, candidate and potential candidate economies of the European Union is tried to be examined. To ensure equality and justice and to reach the level of the EU Member states in this regard, it is a necessity to reduce the gender inequality in society. Rather than comparing Turkey with all transition economies within the frame of the EU standards of gender inequality, it was decided to compare Turkey with the transition economies like itself that are EU Members, Member candidates and potential candidates. The Gender Inequality Index that was developed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) was used in the aforementioned comparisons. Research results show proof that there are unfavorable differences in Turkey in regards to the comparison of gender inequality with transition economies that are EU members, member candidates and potential candidates. This result shows that Turkey has omissions in all components of gender inequality, categorized as health care, participation in political life, access to education and participation in working life. Therefore Turkey needs to reconsider all these categories and their indicators.

Japan gender equality policies have economic goals

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Generational Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Candidates ◽  
Criminal Penalties ◽  
Ruling Party ◽  
The Way

Subject Gender inequality in Japan. Significance The need to improve gender equality has been discussed in Japan for decades, but progress has been slow or non-existent. Impacts The extent of the gendering of elected politics in Japan up until now suggests that progress will be slow. Generational change will likely be needed before the ruling party can field more female candidates. Laws against sexual harassment are more likely to be framed in terms of compensation rather than fines or criminal penalties. Businesses oppose tougher laws against sexual harassment, fearing they will open the way for a flood of lawsuits.

The Geography of Gender Inequality in International Higher Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Myers ◽  
Amy L. Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
United States ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Higher Education ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
Education Decision

The internationalization of higher education results in 4.6 million students attending colleges and universities outside their home countries. In the United States and other countries, there is significant underrepresentation of women among inbound international higher education students. Gender equality in education cannot be achieved so long as women are underrepresented in participation in this important educational venue. To better understand the drivers of gender inequalities in international higher education, this study examines the low participation rate by women coming to the United States by comparing it with participation data for women coming to the United Kingdom and Germany. Gender participation rates from both source regions and countries vary by destination country. By exploring the geography of gender inequality in international higher education, decision makers can better understand barriers to achieving international gender equality goals.

Participatory modeling to support gender equality

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 422-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Bleijenbergh ◽  
Marloes Van Engen
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Problem Definition ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Participatory Modelling ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Causal Loop Diagrams ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Interventions to support gender equality in organisations are often unsuccessful. Stakeholders disagree about the causes and problem definition of gender equality or pay lip service to the principle of gender equality, but fail to implement gender equality in practice. The purpose of this paper is to examine participatory modelling as an intervention method to support stakeholders in: reaching a shared problem definition and analysis of gender inequality; and identifying and implementing policies to tackle gender inequality. Design/methodology/approach – The authors apply participatory modelling in case studies on impediments to women’s careers in two Dutch universities. Findings – This study shows that participatory modelling supported stakeholders’ identification of the self-reinforcing feedback processes of masculinity of norms, visibility of women and networking of women and the interrelatedness between these processes. Causal loop diagrams visualise how the feedback processes are interrelated and can stabilise or reinforce themselves. Moreover, they allow for the identification of possible interventions. Research limitations/implications – Further testing of the causal loop diagrams by quantifying the stocks and the flows would validate the feedback processes and the estimated effects of possible interventions. Practical implications – The integration of the knowledge of researchers and stakeholders in a causal loop diagram supported learning about the issue of gender inequality, hereby contributing to transformative change on gender equality. Originality/value – The originality of the paper lies in the application of participatory modelling in interventions to support gender equality.

scholarly journals “Stop whining and be a badass”: a postfeminist analysis of university students' responses to gender themes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marke Kivijärvi
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Business School ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Gender Socialization ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThis paper critically examines how female students at a Finnish business school understand gender in management.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on female students' learning diaries from a basic management course.FindingsThe findings show how students respond to the topic of gender inequality through a neoliberal postfeminist discourse. The students' discourse is structured around three discursive moves: (1) rejecting “excessive” feminism, (2) articulating self-reliant professional futures and (3) producing idealized role models through successfully integrating masculinity and femininity.Originality/valueThis article contributes to current understanding of the role of postfeminist sensibilities in shaping student participation in the management profession. Awareness of students' responses to gender-equality initiatives offers management educators insight into the inclusion of equality topics in teaching in ways that support equal gender socialization in the management profession.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Gender Inequality in Nigeria: Education and Empowerment of Women in Focus

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 2275-2285
Author(s):  
Ganiat Mobolaji Olatokun
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Government

This paper focuses on gender inequality in the area of education and empowerment of women in Nigeria. This has become significant in this time of novel global wealth coming with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR). It was discovered through a doctrinal research that, Nigeria, aside from having many national legislations on gender equality, is also a signatory to major international human rights instruments on gender equality. However, the workability of these legal frameworks has remained doubtful as there are wide range of gender inequalities which makes it difficult for Nigerian women to achieve their full potentials. Intellectually, higher number of Nigerian men goes to school than women. It follows from here that, men in Nigeria are undoubtedly gainfully employed than the women. Women in Nigeria are often circumscribed to low-paying and very repetitive jobs. In view of this realization, there is every possibility of increased and massive inequality and unemployment as robots seems ready to replace the women work force in Nigeria. Hence, the researcher asks the question as to; how relevant will Nigerian women be in the area of education and empowerment in this time of FIR, despite the presence of the law? This paper argues that the legal framework on gender equality in Nigeria are mere cosmetological set up, which had not impacted on equality between women and men, despite the Women in Development theory (WID), which has been made part and parcel of the legal framework. The paper fears that if these inequality persists, there will be no place for Nigerian women in the FIR. Concerted efforts are required on the part of the government of Nigeria to see to the workability of the laws on gender equality so as to make women relevant in the FIR. It is in the light of the far-reaching implications of this that the makes recommendations.

scholarly journals How Cities Erode Gender Inequality: A New Theory and Evidence from Cambodia

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 961-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Evans
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Female Employment ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Gender Inequalities ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Male Breadwinner ◽  
Garment Factories ◽  
Equality In Education

Support for gender equality has increased globally, and studies of this trend usually examine individual- and/or country-level factors. However, this overlooks subnational variation. City-dwellers are more likely to support gender equality in education, employment, leadership, and leisure. This article investigates the causes of rural–urban differences through comparative, qualitative research in Cambodia. The emergence of rural garment factories presents a quasi-natural experiment to test the theory that female employment enhances support for gender equality. Rural female employment may diminish rural–urban differences in gender inequalities or there may be other important aspects of city-living (beyond female employment) that amplify support for gender equality. Drawing on Cambodian fieldwork, I suggest that cities raise the opportunity costs of the male breadwinner model, increase exposure to women in socially valued roles, and provide more associational avenues to collectively contest established practices. Interests, exposure, and association reinforce a snowballing process of social change. By investigating the causes of subnational variation, I advance a new theory of growing support for gender equality.

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