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Just talking? Middle managers negotiating problem ownership in gender equality interventions

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  • Lansu, M.
  • Bleijenbergh, I.
  • Benschop, Y.

Abstract

An important condition for gender equality change is that managers become problem owners of gender inequality, being responsible for change and committed to action. Managers regularly resist such problem ownership. This research explored how managers in a participatory gender equality intervention in science negotiated their problem ownership. The findings contribute to gender equality change literature by showing that resistance can be productive of gender equality change when the intervention provides a compelling space for negotiations on problem ownership. In addition, our research unpacked the notion of problem ownership into a complex layering concerning personal and group responsibilities and personal and group actions, providing a more detailed understanding of resistance of managers against change agency.

Suggested Citation

  • Lansu, M. & Bleijenbergh, I. & Benschop, Y., 2020. "Just talking? Middle managers negotiating problem ownership in gender equality interventions," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:36:y:2020:i:2:s0956522118300873
    DOI: 10.1016/j.scaman.2020.101110
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Natasha Cortis & Meraiah Foley & Sue Williamson, 2022. "Change agents or defending the status quo? How senior leaders frame workplace gender equality," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 205-221, January.
    2. Linda Colley & Sue Williamson & Meraiah Foley, 2021. "Understanding, ownership, or resistance: Explaining persistent gender inequality in public services," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 284-300, January.
    3. Kristina Johansson & Elias Andersson & Maria Johansson, 2022. "Restructuring masculinities and reshaping inequalities: Negotiations of (gendered) sales work and relations in an industrial organization," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1008-1024, July.
    4. Johansson, Kristina & Johansson, Maria & Andersson, Elias, 2023. "All talk and no action? Making change and negotiating gender equality in Swedish forestry," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

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