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Pandemic and macho organizations: Wake‐up call or business as usual?

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  • Rafael Alcadipani

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. The global spread of the virus is affecting societies’ gender dynamics in general and in organizations in particular. Based on ethnographic research being carried out in a police organization in Brazil, this piece discusses how COVID‐19 is impacting hegemonic masculinity in organizations. Police organizations are prototypical hegemonic masculinity organizations. I argue that the COVID‐19 pandemic at first encouraged the performance of the typical police macho masculinity, but as the disease progressed, it created a situation that challenged it. I explore that even though the pandemic threatens macho masculinity in organizations, it is still unclear if an alternative gender dynamic will emerge from this crisis in macho organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Alcadipani, 2020. "Pandemic and macho organizations: Wake‐up call or business as usual?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(5), pages 734-746, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:27:y:2020:i:5:p:734-746
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12466
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Maria do Mar Pereira, 2021. "Researching gender inequalities in academic labor during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Avoiding common problems and asking different questions," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S2), pages 498-509, July.
    3. Amna Chaudhry & John Amis, 2022. "Negotiating masculinities in times of crisis: On the COVID frontline in Pakistan," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 650-665, March.
    4. Elena P. Antonacopoulou & Andri Georgiadou, 2021. "Leading through social distancing: The future of work, corporations and leadership from home," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 749-767, March.
    5. Dharshani Thennakoon & Shalini Dananja Kumari Wanninayake & Pavithra Kailasapathy, 2022. "Honey, How Can I Help? Gender and Distribution of Unpaid Labour during COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Emily Yarrow & Victoria Pagan, 2021. "Reflections on front‐line medical work during COVID‐19 and the embodiment of risk," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S1), pages 89-100, January.
    7. Camilla Quental & Yuliya Shymko, 2021. "What life in favelas can teach us about the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond: Lessons from Dona Josefa," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 768-782, March.
    8. Tracy Wilcox & Michelle Greenwood & Alison Pullen & Anne O’Leary Kelly & Deborah Jones, 2021. "Interfaces of domestic violence and organization: Gendered violence and inequality," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 701-721, March.
    9. Ajnesh Prasad & Alejandro Centeno & Carl Rhodes & Muhammad Azfar Nisar & Scott Taylor & Janne Tienari & Ozan Nadir Alakavuklar, 2021. "What are men's roles and responsibilities in the feminist project for gender egalitarianism?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 1579-1599, July.

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