Gender Equity in Management: An Introduction

The role of women in the workplace has been changing steadily in the post globalization era, along with the changing demographics of the labor force, resulting in more diversity in the workplace. Despite the improved interactions between men and women, that has brought about certain qualitative changes in socio-cultural conditioning, the power equations between men and women in management remain unequal, particularly at senior levels. In other words, the glass ceiling is still not broken in many parts of the world.Traditionally, the organization structures and social processes frequently emanate from male-centric values, practices and prerogatives. Women venturing into the world of management have to combat several barriers at the workplace in the form of stereotyping, discrimination, antagonism, besides the pressure to conform to societal expectations regarding familial obligations. But these obstacles notwithstanding, women are making their mark in management all over, even in the developing nations.