Chief executive officers: agents of change for gender equality

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the arguments that CEOs deploy in relation to gender equality. Design/methodology/approach Data is gathered from telephone interviews carried out with CEOs from a range of industries and global locations who have publicly declared their support for gender equality. Discourse analysis is then used to understand the arguments deployed by the CEOs. Findings Three winning arguments are identified: women bring special skills to the workplace, the best person should be hired for the job and biases and privilege exist in the workplace and need to be acknowledged. Practical implications Therefore CEOs could have more impact as change agents by focusing on changing gendered systems and structures in their arguments rather than holding on to beliefs centered around gender essentialism and merit. Originality/value This paper has an original approach in suggesting that senior leaders talk in relation to gender equality promotes continuity rather than change.