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Preventing Sexual Harassment in Nordic Working Life: Contesting Concepts and Reimagining Research

Author

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  • Fredrik Bondestam

    (Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Angelica Simonsson

    (Swedish Secretariat for Gender Research, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

Gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the Nordic labor market prevails, despite decades of preventive work. The #Metoo movement has clearly challenged past and current notions of the Nordic countries as gender equal welfare states, but it also pointed at the inability of policy to overcome its own prerequisites. In this study, we analyze past research on sexual harassment in Nordic working life, especially targeting theoretical, methodological, and practical results and challenges. By taking this systematic Nordic research review as a point of departure, we also develop a framework to analyze and transgress existing boundaries of policy and research in several ways. By reimagining research practices, as well as neoliberal management protocols for prevention, we elaborate on ways forward through several analytical steps. Finally, we envisage a need to overcome an immanent paradox when performing social research, pointing towards a vision of critical research moving beyond contemporary research politics and policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Fredrik Bondestam & Angelica Simonsson, 2025. "Preventing Sexual Harassment in Nordic Working Life: Contesting Concepts and Reimagining Research," Societies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:15:y:2025:i:3:p:52-:d:1595802
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eduardo Bericat, 2012. "The European Gender Equality Index: Conceptual and Analytical Issues," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 108(1), pages 1-28, August.
    2. Amir Karami & Melek Yildiz Spinel & C. Nicole White & Kayla Ford & Suzanne Swan, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review of Sexual Harassment Studies with Text Mining," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-24, June.
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