Equbusiness book VERSION 28SEPT2023 - Flipbook - Page 36
6. PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY THROUGH HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
This chapter aims to explore the critical role of Human Resources Management (HRM) in advancing gender
diversity and equality within organizations, with a particular focus on corporate boardrooms. This chapter aims
to comprehensively address the imperative of advancing gender diversity and equality within organizations by
investigating key HRM areas such as recruitment and placement, performance management, career
development, training, and remuneration. By examining these aspects of HRM, this chapter aims to identify
actionable insights for companies to repair any gender-based disparities and promote inclusivity effectively,
particularly in corporate boardrooms. The role of organizations to prevent and eliminate the disadvantages
created by gender roles that prevent women from rising to senior management positions will be evaluated from
the perspective of human resources management. For instance, concepts such as the 'glass ceiling' and the 'glass
cliff' have gained importance in gender equality literature, shedding light on the persistent challenges and
obstacles women face when seeking advancement in corporate careers in addition to the precarious positions
they often find themselves in when they reach leadership roles. While the concepts have garnered considerable
attention and analysis, it is worth noting that a lack of comprehensive assessment of Human Resource
Management (HRM) literature in the context of gender equality in business remains.
In the field of HRM, there are academic studies ranging from recruitment to various human resource processes
that address issues such as gender diversity or inequality towards female employees. There are numerous studies
on how human resource practices can both pose obstacles to gender equality and play a role in achieving it. This
chapter particularly focuses on strategies derived from literature on how HR can play a role in promoting equality
and inclusion for women. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the HRM literature requires a rigorous
exploration of these areas, and a detailed examination of the strategies, practices, and policies that promote or
perpetuate gender equality.
Human Resource Management, being a function dealing with everyday problems of employees and organizations
and the relationship between these two, is one of the most important roles in organizations. To comprehend its
role in providing diverse work environments and increasing women9s inclusion in work systems, this chapter will
delineate the human resource management process starting from recruitment.
