Gendered organizations and intersectionality: problems and possibilities

Abstract

PurposeTheorizing that was conceived in the 1970s about gendered processes in organizations helped explain gender inequalities in organizations. This article aims to take the opportunity to re‐examine these processes – including the gendered substructure of organizations, gendered subtext, the gendered logic of organization and the abstract worker from the perspective of the original author in a present‐day context.Design/methodology/approachA reflexive approach was used to consider how gender theorizing itself has become more complex as captured in the notion of intersectionality when gender process interacts with other forms of inequality.FindingsThe key finding is the persistence of inequality regimes despite organizational changes, which still make developments in theorizing gender processes relevant.Originality/valueThis article is an opportunity to reflect on the conceptualization and development of one's theorizing over three decades, which has suggested that there are still key questions that demand answers from academics and practitioners who want to challenge these inequality regimes.

Unpacking the Category of Migrant Workers in Trade Union Research: A Multi-Level Approach to Migrant Intersectionalities

“…She asks moreover whether a study should start from the individual identity or organisational and social processes, which is a compelling question for any project exploring migrants' experiences of the trade union movement. In line with Winker and Degele (2011), Mooney warns against starting with identity-based constructions as the complex intersection of multiple identities may be difficult to disentangle and impractical (Mooney, 2016; see also Acker, 2012). For example, a female cleaner from Latin America might experience barriers to joining a trade union.…”

Intersections of gender, age and occupational group in the Finnish defence forces

“…Acker 2006Acker , 2012Holvino 2010) seem to be hierarchically ordered so that gender, race and class are usually central in research, and the lack of certain categories in analysis leads to doubts about the validity of the intersectionality conception used. Following Tatli & Özbilgin (2011, 180), we call for a sense of contextuality in selecting the categories for study.…”

Inclusion, sustainability, and equality: how can research contribute?

“…This separation means that different types of jobs can be rewarded and ascribed different status (p. 149). Separation is another mechanism that is a prerequisite for the creation of inequalities (see, e.g., Abrahamsson, 2002;Acker, 2006Acker, , 2012Baude, 1992;Hirdman, 1988). Separation of categories in places, such as the division of work into "female" and "male" typed jobs, means that inequality can be created without awareness that men and women as groups are treated unequally.…”