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Racial and Gender Inequality as a (Non)Crisis: The Discursive Strategies of Academic-Managers in Belgian and Danish universities

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  • Bourabain, Dounia

Abstract

This study investigates academic-managers’ understanding of gender and racial inequality in Belgian and Danish universities. Employing Sylvia Walby’s and Janet Roitman’s crisis concept, findings show that academic-managers use three discursive strategies of justification that are inherently tied to a noncrisis narrative. By justifying gender and racial inequality as a) ‘normal’ in academia through a meritocratic-neoliberal approach, b) considering it a matter that needs to be resolved ‘higher up’, and c) using a politics of time to relegate inequality to the past and equality to the future, they exempt themselves from dealing with gender and racial inequality. Crisis talk appears when gender inequality may harm the institution’s reputation. We conclude by advocating for a shift from a language of diversity to a language of crisis. Framing gender and racial inequality as a crisis evokes a sense of urgency to foster inclusion and diversity in research and innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Bourabain, Dounia, 2024. "Racial and Gender Inequality as a (Non)Crisis: The Discursive Strategies of Academic-Managers in Belgian and Danish universities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:178:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324001632
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114659
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Myrtle P. Bell & Daphne Berry & Joy Leopold & Stella Nkomo, 2021. "Making Black Lives Matter in academia: A Black feminist call for collective action against anti‐blackness in the academy," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S1), pages 39-57, January.
    2. Ea Høg Utoft, 2021. "Maneuvering within postfeminism: A study of gender equality practitioners in Danish academia," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 301-317, January.
    3. Beth Mintz, 2021. "Neoliberalism and the Crisis in Higher Education: The Cost of Ideology," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 80(1), pages 79-112, January.
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