Women’s crucible leadership experiences: through the lens of the four-frame organisational model
ISSN: 1754-2413
Article publication date: 23 March 2023
Issue publication date: 1 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the individual lived crucible experiences of women leaders in higher education (HE) and business as the catalyst to investigate organisational inequality regimes that prevent women leaders from fully participating, contributing and flourishing at work. Drawing upon Bolman and Deal’s four-frame theoretical organisational model, this study analyses women’s lived crucible leadership experiences to better understand the organising processes and practices that render intersectionality invisible that reinforce and perpetuate inequality regimes.
Design/methodology/approach
A collaborative autoethnographic research method was selected for data collection. The research team members each selected one significant crucible moment from their professional career and used the Gibb’s six-part reflective cycle to document their narrative and reflect on their leadership experience. A reflexive thematic analysis was used based on Braun and Clarke’s six phases.
Findings
The study features the importance of creating a climate in organisations that acknowledges the need for greater equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) to support women leaders. Four global themes emerged from the analysis of the leadership narratives: organisation, power dynamics, emotional distress and perseverance and intersectionality. These themes illuminate a greater understanding of organisational life for women and confirm the presence of inequality regimes of gender and race.
Originality/value
This is the first study to explore the impact of women leaders’ crucible experiences through the lens of the Bolman and Deal’s model that highlights the need to consider an EDI lens as the fifth frame.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethics statement: CAE research involves the study of the pooled lived experiences of at least two autoethnographers and analysis of self-generated documentation where subjects are both researchers and participants. Considering the lack of systematic investigation of human subjects or data pertaining to others, institutional review board approval was not required.
Citation
Bachnik, K., Howe-Walsh, L., Critchley, L., Alicea, M., Guajardo, M. and Washington, C.E. (2023), "Women’s crucible leadership experiences: through the lens of the four-frame organisational model", Gender in Management, Vol. 38 No. 7, pp. 877-895. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-03-2022-0101
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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