Managing Change from a Gender Perspective

The management of change has received an inordinate amount of attention. Models, tools, guidelines and inspirational diatribes abound. Likewise, gender issues in the workplace have also come under a great deal of scrutiny. However there has been little or no research linking gender and change management. Given the increasingly influential role women play within organisations facing change, it is surely worth asking the questions: do men and women approach and manage change scenarios differently? And if so, do we have to modify the way in which we prepare for and manage change? This paper represents an initial, holistic, investigation of the above questions. The study raises many interesting issues for both the academic community and practising managers. From an academic standpoint the manner in which change is approached, the techniques and models employed to handle it, can be subject to varying interpretation, and acceptance, dependent upon gender. Practitioners may wish to note that change initiatives could be enhanced by ensuring the promotion of gender inclusive solution methodologies.