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- Andersson, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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From glass ceiling to firewalls : Detecting and changing gendered organizational norms
- 2022
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In: NORA. - : Routledge. - 0803-8740 .- 1502-394X. ; 30:2, s. 140-153
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article is based on an empirical case study with an interactive research approach focusing on gendered norms in a Swedish truck Company. It discusses the combined value of using the metaphor of a firewall for (1) analysing how organizational constraining gendered norms are done in everyday organizational life, and (2) as a practical tool to facilitate the processes aimed at improving norm awareness. The metaphor embodies an understanding that makes it possible to visualize relational ongoing organizational processes and power dimensions. In addition, the firewall is useful for emphasizing variations and complexity. Variations and dynamics are manifested in the ways that employees need to fulfil varying “codes” in order to be accepted. The possession of certain codes (norms) that are required to pass through the first layer of the firewall (employment), and give access to some networks, does not automatically ensure acceptance and integration into more influential networks (referred to as the informal and inner layers of the firewall). The results furthermore show that the firewall metaphor is fruitful when facilitating reflection processes amongst employees to improve norma wareness and to discuss strategies for change. The conclusion is that the firewall metaphor facilitates an analysis of the relational and complex doing of constraining norms, and that it also can be used to initiate change.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Susanne, et al.
(author)
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Moving with(in) normative firewalls : a dynamic approach to study gendered careers and innovation processes in the truck industry
- 2018
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper we explore how existing work place culture and gendered norms impact on the possibilities to work with so called ”norm-critical” innovation processes in an organisation. Norm-critical reflexivity in the context of innovation processes implies to pay attention to invisible and implicit norms that may result in that certain privileged perspectives is being prevailed (over others) (Balkmar & Lykke 2015). The empirical findings emanates from a two year interactive research project, in which gender researchers in collaboration with participants at Volvo Group, Sweden, have explored the ways that the company can increase its capacity to work with norm-critical perspectives in the innovation process. Volvo is a highly gender segregated organisation. At the same time the trucking industry in itself is highly masculinized in terms of different professions; ranging from truck drivers to sales personnel to technical engineers involved in the design and manufacturing of trucks. In later years the shortage of truck drivers, in combination with more women drivers entering trucking academies and haulage contractors, has led to a questioning of male norms in the transport business. This includes reports of difficult working conditions for female truckers, including how the design of the truck itself takes the male body as the implicit norm, to the assumption that it is a man that is the presumed driver of trucks.This paper focus on the part of the project that seeks to better understand how existing work-place culture and norms structure who is considered the ideal employee (Acker 1992) and its implications for innovation. This includes studying its impacts on both the possibility for different categories of employees to take part in the innovation work on equal terms, and the ability to reflect upon the impact of implicit norms in the innovation process itself. In total, 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with co-workers and managers (13 women and 5 men). The main questions concerned whether there existed ideals that formed implicit ”codes” (Bendl and Schmidt 2010) in the organization and its impact on ideas of preferred professional qualifications, behaviors, personal qualities and its links to career possibilities and innovation. The underlying theoretical assumption is that gender is a fundamental element of organisational structure and work life; “present in [its] processes, practices, images and ideologies, and distribution of power” (Acker 1992, p. 567). The way that gender plays out in the daily life in a workplace is understood as not being a static barrier prohibiting women in general, rather, it is considered fluid, relational and may vary depending on the context (Meyerson & Fletcher 2001, Bendl and Schmidt 2010). It is argued that the concept ”fire wall” (Bendl and Schmidt 2010 ), offers a fruitful way to highlight the elasticity and permeability that we believe characterize the forms of discrimination, inclusion and exclusion that takes place in these processes.ReferencesAcker, J. 1992. Gendering Organisational Theory. In Mills, A. and Tancered, P. (eds.). Gendering Organisational Analysis. London: SAGE.Acker, J. 2006. Inequality Regimes: Gender, Class, and Race in Organisations. Gender and Society 20(4):441-464.Balkmar, D. & Lykke, N. 2015. Developing disruptive norm-critical innovation at Volvo: FINAL REPORT. Linköping: Tema Genus Report Series No. 23: 2015.Bendl, R. & Schmidt. 2012. From 'Glass Ceilings' to 'Firewalls' - Different Metaphors for Describing Discrimination. Gender, Work and Organization. Vol. 17. No 5:612-635.Meyerson, D. & Fletcher J.K. 2001. A Modest Manifesto for Shattering the Glass Ceiling. Boston: Harvard Business Review.
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- Axelsson, Tobias, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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Qualitative indications of inequalities produced by COVID-19 and its policy responses : RESISTIRÉ 1st cycle summary report.
- 2021
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Reports (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This report on qualitative indications of inequalities reports on the identification of inequalities produced by COVID-19 and/or (re)produced by its policy responses. It is based on the collection and analysis of qualitative data identified within the framework developed in RESISTIRÉ. It derives from extensive, mixed methods to gather data in the project’s first of three research cycles. It includes workshops and interviews with inequality experts, and narrative interviews with individual people living throughout Europe. These provide us with insights on the impact of COVID from both professional and personal perspectives, including the insights and experiences from experts in civil society, experts in public authorities, academics, and the individual stories of lived experiences during COVID-19. These insights allow us to analyse the behavioural, economic, social, and environmental impacts of COVID-19 from a gender+ perspective and on vulnerable/marginalised groups. Through this data collection and analysis, the report provides analytical insights during the second year of the outbreak.
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| 5. |
- Balkmar, Dag, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Hur kan elvägar bli socialt hållbara? Ett ramverk för social hållbarhet vid teknik- och miljöomställningar
- 2022
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Syftet med rapporten är att utveckla och presentera ett ramverk för hur sociala hållbarhetsfrågor kan integreras inom ett framtida genomförande av elväg. Målet är att tillhandahålla ett ramverk med förhållningssätt, utgångspunkter och en modell för hur sociala perspektiv kan integreras av infrastrukturägare och andra aktörer i transportsystemet. Ramverket visar på vad som behöver fokuseras när elvägar införs, och i viss mån hur, men själva analysen (och därmed svaren) ges av infrastrukturägare och relevanta aktörer som implementerar elvägar. Ramverket visar således vad som kan vara relevant att belysa, hur det kan till samt av vilka. Ramverket ger därmed förutsättningar för att definiera konkreta målsättningar och indikatorer för social hållbarhet i ett (framtida) genomförande av elvägar. Den tilltänkta läsaren är exempelvis projektdeltagare i ett elvägsprojekt, intressenter inom systemet, eller infrastrukturägare. Ramverket kan även användas av andra aktörer som arbetar med sociala hållbarhetsfrågor i utvecklingsprojekt.
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| 6. |
- Balkmar, Dag, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Levelling the field : A Guide to an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
- 2022
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Levelling the field: A guide to an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem. (Tool 1) A practical guidebook on how to promote inclusive entrepreneurship (part of a three-part tool-kit developed) Intended target audience: equality strategists, other actors with the ambition, mandate and responsibility to promote inclusion in their organisation or towards ecosystem actors. It includes basic facts, findings, challenges’ and suggestion for strategies and approaches, hands-on sections are followed by short summaries and key points.
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| 7. |
- Balkmar, Dag, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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My Better Entrepreneneurial Ecosystem : A Workshop on How to Promote an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
- 2022
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- My Better Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Workshop on How to Promote an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (Tool 3). A workshop instruction (part of a three-part tool-kit developed). The main aim of the workshop is threefold; to spur collaboration and exchange among ecosystem actors; to enhance knowledge and learning, and finally; to co-create solutions to inspire change in individual actors as well as joint efforts to promote an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Target audience: main facilitator and organizer of workshop.
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| 8. |
- Balkmar, Dag, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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The Gendered Nature of Tech Entrepreneurship : Understanding the Gender-Divide in Tech Entrepreneurship
- 2022
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The Gendered Nature of Tech Entrepreneurship: Understanding the Gender-Divide in Tech Entrepreneurship. (Tool 2) This publication provides insights - some basic facts and findings - on the complex ways that tech entrepreneurship is gendered (part of a three-part tool-kit developed) Target audience: equality strategists, other actors with the ambition, mandate and responsibility to promote inclusion in their organisation or towards ecosystem actors.
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| 10. |
- Balkmar, Dag, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Women truck drivers and (future) mobile work : Towards gender equal transport futures?
- 2021
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In: Gender and Equality in Transport. - Dublin : TU Dublin. ; , s. 161-165
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This paper focuses gender and gender equality in contemporary and future haulage business, arguing for a need for norm-critical approaches to build more gender equal transport futures. Currently, there is a general demand for more drivers internationally and in Sweden. Following the current driver shortage in occupational road freight, transport companies in Europe and Sweden recognise the need to recruit more women chauffeurs. Part of the problem is how transport is gendered, strongly intertwined with masculine norms that prevents nonnormative bodies to identify themselves as drivers. In Sweden, a country with a world reputation as champions in gender equality, men still make up more than 90 % of the work force in the Swedish transport business. While recruiting more women would contribute to solve the urgent problem of driver shortage, women drivers typically face gendered problems, concerning their personal safety, harassments, hygiene, and work/life (im)balance. From the perspective of the haulage business, addressing these gendered problems can increase the ability hire more women drivers, but would also need to develop transport innovations that suit not only today’s male users but also those of tomorrow.Future road freight and transport innovations such as more autonomous vehicles are often imagined to ‘solve’ some of the current problems that transport companies struggle with, including driver shortage. With the advent of autonomous, electrified and connected mobilities, we may anticipate both a gendered re-segregation and that fewer drivers would be needed (Balkmar and Mellström 2018). Nevertheless, problems of road transportation and the lack of gender equality in the haulage business can’t be solved following the “old logics of a technological fix”, gendered social and cultural issues need to be part of the solution (Kröger and Weber, 2018). Against this background, the aim of this paper is to explore how normcritical perspectives can offer ways forward with regards to gender and (lack of) gender equality in the haulage business. This includes to consider how technological innovations may change what it entails to be a truck driver and open new opportunities for the profession with regards to gender equality.
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