Organisational culture factors influencing gender diversity levels in companies

Abstract

Despite modest increases in the appointment of women in top management levels over the past 10 years, the proportion still remains low at 20% in 2012 (Department of Labour Republic of South Africa, 2013). Even with substantial evidence showing a positive correlation between gender diversity and business performance, women are still underrepresented at senior management, executive management and board levels. The purpose of this research was to identify the key organisational culture factors which are influencing gender diversity levels in companies, particularly in senior and top management levels. Through quantitative descriptive research methodology, the research aimed to identify which of these factors are promoting and inhibiting increased gender diversity levels in companies. The data were collected from women and men working in South African organisations by means of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 69 respondents. This research study determined that organisational culture factors promoting increased gender diversity in organisations with higher gender diversity levels are different to factors inhibiting increased gender diversity in organisations with low gender diversity levels. The research brought insight into which organisational culture factors can be used as enablers to create an organisational culture which is conducive for increasing gender diversity