Work

Institutional entrepreneurs driving change: The case of gender equality in the Australian construction industry

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Taken-for-granted rules are difficult to change. The Australian construction industry is one example, where despite considerable attempts at regulating gender equality by government and others, the industry remains steadfastly male dominated. This article investigates the drivers (i.e. why) and processes (i.e. how) of change with regard to gender equality in the workplace. Using institutional entrepreneurship, we provide insight into the change towards gender equality in the Australian construction industry. We collect data from two Australian construction companies and, drawing on interviews conducted with business leaders, look at how new meanings around gender equality and diversity are negotiated. We find that while gender equality is an important point of focus for both companies, discrepancies remain between perceptions and reality as well as people’s level of readiness. We conclude with implications for theory and future research.

Source: Australian Journal of Management

DOI: 10.1177/0312896217705179

Authors: Fanny Salignac, Natalie Galea, Abigail Powell

Institutions: UNSW Sydney, Centre for Social Impact

Language: English

Topic: Gender Diversity and Inequality

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funders: Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, Australian Research Council