Gender Quota as Practice. Exploring gender quota practices and their power dynamics in a business organisation using the practice approach
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2019-09-19
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en
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Despite organisations devoting time and money to increase the number of women, progress is slow. Recent installations of gender quotas for businesses have barely resulted in the intended increase of gender diversity. As we know little about quota implementation in businesses, particularly about the practices that are most effective for compliance, this research reveals quota practices and examines their effectiveness through the analysis of power dynamics by answering the research question: How does an organisation do gender quota as a practice? Using the practice approach, observations and interviews were conducted and material artefacts were collected. The analysis discusses three quota practices – matching, rewarding and gender balanced shortlisting – and two surrounding practices: storytelling and developing women. Despite their marginal effect to substantially increase gender diversity, the organisation is mainly doing these surrounding practices as tensions and resistance mostly prevail within the quota practices. Furthermore, quota implementation is much of a one man show due to the lack of commitment to the quota obligations. Ultimately, this research reveals how tensions and resistance may hinder the intended increase of women in organisations through quotas. Longitudinal research can give better insight into power dynamics within quota practices and how this impacts dynamics at work.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen