Embedding ethics of care into sustainable human resource management to foster gender inclusive work culture in engineering

Abstract

As the social and environmental demands evolve, business organizations specializing in engineering are required to reconsider their gender policies and practices to retain competitive advantage. This conceptual article highlights that the movement towards sustainability could encourage organisations to achieve critical constructs of workplace gender inclusion. This article uses the Sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM) framework and Ethics of Care approach as the theoretical foundation to create a conceptual model on inclusion. The model specifically helps to understand how the assumptions and beliefs of internal organizational stakeholders contribute toward adopting care-based values to promote gender inclusivity in engineering workplaces. In conclusion, the article highlights the need for more empirical research on the Sustainable HRM approach and how it can help to foster an inclusive workplace.