Gendered Organizations: Progress and Prospects

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the context for the emergence of a theory of gendered organizations and define the basic features of the approach, noting the explosion of scholarship in the area and the now firmly established trend toward understanding gender, race, class, and sexuality as aspects of social structures. We focus on three of the most important emerging areas in research on gendered organizations: the study of intersectionality, the increasing emphasis on the importance of organizational context, and the exploration of mechanisms for organizational change. We conclude by briefly noting prospects for the further development of research on gendered organizations.

The New STEM Faculty Profile: Balancing Family and Dual Careers

“…For over two decades gender and organization scholars have been unpacking Acker's (1990) notion that gendered assumptions are built into the way that jobs and hierarchies are structured (Britton & Logan, 2008). Efforts to change the job expectations for pre-tenure faculty to allow for longer time to tenure for those with child care responsibilities provide an important corrective to the model that assumed no childcare responsibilities.…”

“…Most jobs are designed with assumptions about the nonwork related characteristics of likely occupants (Britton & Logan, 2008) and professors are no exception. The notion that faculty members would not be encumbered by family demands was built into the job when the AAUP adopted the six-year probationary period for tenure (Gappa et al, 2007), inadvertently overlapping the tenure clock with women's biological clocks (De Wet, Ashley, & Kegel, 2002).…”

“…Gender is not only a characteristic of individuals; it is a characteristic of structures, including workplaces. Gendered organizations are built on and reproduce inequality through practices and processes that mirror the cultural context in which they exist (Acker, 2006(Acker, , 1990Britton & Logan, 2008). Many jobs are created with a particular kind of person in mind who will occupy the position, including the level of family demands of the occupant (Acker, 1990;Williams, 2001).…”

Critical Reflection on the Nature of Campus Female Students’ Aspiration for Leadership Positions

“…When considering universities and how they operate, scholars have recognized that gender can influence organizational practices, such that images, cultures, interactions, and gender-appropriate behaviours are linked to socially construct masculine or feminine ideals within organizational operations (Britton & Logan, 2008). Heather and Kristen (2017) highlight that masculinities, or behaviours, actions and associations that are most often associated with men are perceived to be superior to femininities, or those behaviours most often associated with women.…”

The H2 Visa process in the catfish industry

“…H2 visas are temporary work permits for non-U.S. citizens seeking employment in agriculture and non-agricultural sectors (Muñoz, 2008). The goal of this paper is to explore some of the transnational gendered practices that may be at play in the U.S. catfish industry by highlighting the dynamics of this understudied space using a gendered organizations perspective, a framework that acknowledges the ways that gender and sexuality themselves are constructed at various organizational levels including identity, interaction, culture, and structure (Acker, 1990;Britton, 2000;Britton & Logan, 2008;Williams, Muller, & Kilanski, 2012). In particular, by focusing on the relationship between hired farm manager and the temporary Mexican workers he hires, I focus on expanding our understanding of transnational hegemonic masculinities.…”