Is work engagement gendered?

Abstract

Purpose

The way work engagement is constructed and researched in literature is assumed, at least implicitly, to be gender-neutral where women and men have equal opportunity to demonstrate their engagement in the workplace. This review paper aims to integrate gender into the notion of work engagement in order to examine whether the notion of work engagement is gendered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of the literatures related to work engagement and gendered organisations.

Findings

The paper proposes a conceptual framework to develop and explain the notion of gendered work engagement. It shows that work engagement is gendered concept as it is easier for men to demonstrate work engagement than for women.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the gendered nature of work engagement which is an under-explored area.

Citation

Banihani, M., Lewis, P. and Syed, J. (2013), "Is work engagement gendered?", Gender in Management, Vol. 28 No. 7, pp. 400-423. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-01-2013-0005