Gender equality and comparative HRM: A 40-year review

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Human Resource Management Review

Publication Date

1-1-2023

Abstract

Guided by comparative human resource management (HRM) research, we review and critically assess the literature on gender equality in work settings. To this end, we consider quantitative articles published between 1980 and 2021. We apply a multi-level and multi-dimensional framework focused on three gender equality perspectives (i.e., Hofstede, GLOBE, and socioeconomic) and the HRM chain (e.g., policies and practices) as well as individual and organizational outcomes. Consistent with previous literature in the field of comparative HRM, we find that the three gender equality perspectives explain significant differences in the HRM chain as well as in both individual-level and organizational-level outcomes. Extending comparative HRM literature, we find that the three gender equality perspectives influence our research community differently, show similarities and differences in outcomes, associate with different effects (i.e., enabling and enhancing), and differ in the direction of such effects. Our study contributes to evidence-based policy and practice in organizations that align their HR strategies to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).

ISSN

1053-4822

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Disciplines

Business

Keywords

Comparative HRM, Gender egalitarianism, Gender equality indices, HRM chain, Masculinity/femininity, Organizational outcomes

Scopus ID

85162092491

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

Link to Full Text

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