Organizational cultures, women managers and exclusion

Abstract

Looks at broad approaches to organizational culture and offers a brief review of some recent work on gender and organizational culture. The possibility of seeing culture as a means of closure is explored. Seeks to define and operationalise organizational culture, in order to test the theoretical hypothesis on two case studies, and identify the ways in which aspects of culture acted to close off areas of work to women managers. Describes the constituents of this definition with reference to data from two case studies, and considers examples of the ways in which these different constituents of culture may act as means of closure to women managers in the organizations. Suggests that the approach provides a useful starting point for further research on organizational culture and gender, as well as giving a practical model for practitioners and consultants looking to develop a diversity inclusive culture.

Citation

Rutherford, S. (2001), "Organizational cultures, women managers and exclusion", Women in Management Review, Vol. 16 No. 8, pp. 371-382. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006289