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Increasing Gender Diversity in Higher Education Leadership: The Role of Executive Search Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Simonetta Manfredi

    (Oxford Brookes University Business School, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

  • Kate Clayton-Hathway

    (Oxford Brookes University Business School, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

  • Emily Cousens

    (Oxford Brookes University Business School, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK)

Abstract

Women are under-represented in leadership roles in United Kingdom Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Existing scholarship focuses on institutional barriers, which include cognitive bias and entrenched homosocial cultures, rather than external factors such as the use of executive search firms (ESFs) in recruitment and selection. Recent research indicates that the use of ESFs is increasing for senior HEI appointments. This analysis offers insights on these firms’ involvement from a gender equality perspective, based on the results from a study that used a ‘virtuous circle’ approach to research and knowledge exchange. The requirement for HEIs to pay ‘due regard’ to equality considerations under the Public Sector Equality Duty provides a framework for analysis. This paper provides new insights on the dynamics within recruitment processes when ESFs are involved and on how a legislative approach can leverage better equality outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Simonetta Manfredi & Kate Clayton-Hathway & Emily Cousens, 2019. "Increasing Gender Diversity in Higher Education Leadership: The Role of Executive Search Firms," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:6:p:168-:d:236410
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mike Noon, 2010. "The shackled runner: time to rethink positive discrimination?," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 24(4), pages 728-739, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yunyu Xiao & Edward Pinkney & Tianzi Li & Paul S. F. Yip, 2023. "Breaking through the glass ceiling: unveiling women’s representation by gender and race in the higher education hierarchy," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Nicole Gross, 2023. "What ChatGPT Tells Us about Gender: A Cautionary Tale about Performativity and Gender Biases in AI," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Jai Mohan Pandit & Bino Paul, 2023. "Gender Diversity, Sustainable Development Goals and Human Resource Management Practices in Higher Education," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 17(1), pages 111-130, April.

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