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The gendered dimensions of informal institutions in the Australian construction industry

Author

Listed:
  • Natalie Galea
  • Abigail Powell
  • Martin Loosemore
  • Louise Chappell

Abstract

The construction industry is the most male‐dominated in Australia, despite companies implementing formal policies and initiatives to address this. While previous research has examined the role of workplace culture as a barrier to women in the industry, our research investigates the role informal institutions play in obstructing gender equity in construction. We examine the gendered dimension of informal institutions (practices, narratives and norms) in two multinational Australian construction companies using feminist institutional (FI) theory and rapid ethnography. The findings show that informal gendered institutions obstruct women’s recruitment, retention and progression in construction. Recruitment into and within the industry is framed by male sponsorship, cultural fit and traditional education pipelines. Retention is compromised by poor parental leave practices and norms, which tolerate sexism and gender stereotypes, as well as unsustainable work practices. Progression is impaired by the need for strategic alliances with powerful men and a lack of transparency around promotion opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalie Galea & Abigail Powell & Martin Loosemore & Louise Chappell, 2020. "The gendered dimensions of informal institutions in the Australian construction industry," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(6), pages 1214-1231, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:27:y:2020:i:6:p:1214-1231
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12458
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mike Bresnen, 2017. "Being careful what we wish for? Challenges and opportunities afforded through engagement with business and management research," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1-2), pages 24-34, February.
    2. Helen Lingard & Valerie Francis, 2004. "The work-life experiences of office and site-based employees in the Australian construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(9), pages 991-1002.
    3. Natalie Galea & Abigail Powell & Martin Loosemore & Louise Chappell, 2015. "Designing robust and revisable policies for gender equality: lessons from the Australian construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(5-6), pages 375-389, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lalarukh Ejaz & Vadim Grinevich & Mine Karatas‐Ozkan, 2023. "Women's informal entrepreneurship through the lens of institutional voids and institutional logics," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1254-1272, July.
    2. Yuvaraj Dhanasekar & Kaliyaperumal Sugirthamani Anandh & Mariusz Szóstak, 2023. "Development of the Diversity Concept for the Construction Sector: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Natalie Galea & Abigail Powell & Fanny Salignac & Louise Chappell & Martin Loosemore, 2022. "When Following the Rules Is Bad for Wellbeing: The Effects of Gendered Rules in the Australian Construction Industry," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 36(1), pages 119-138, February.
    4. Vera Hoelscher & Ratna Khanijou & Daniela Pirani, 2023. "Changing informal institutions via mimesis: Gender equality in marriage proposals," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 52-67, January.
    5. Sumati Ahuja & Ruth Weatherall, 2023. "“This boys club world is finally getting to me”: Developing our glass consciousness to understand women's experiences in elite architecture firms," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 826-841, May.
    6. Wendy O’Brien & Clare Hanlon & Vasso Apostolopoulos, 2023. "Women as leaders in male‐dominated sectors: A bifocal analysis of gendered organizational practices," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(6), pages 1867-1884, November.
    7. Harsha Nayanatharangee Dharmarathna Kuruppu Arachchige & Salwa Mohd Ishak & Ki Pyung Kim, 2023. "Exploring Indicators for Sustainable Shovel-Ready Projects: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, November.
    8. Natalie Galea & Louise Chappell, 2022. "Male‐dominated workplaces and the power of masculine privilege: A comparison of the Australian political and construction sectors," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1692-1711, September.

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