Corporate Diversity Programs and Gender Inequality in the Oil and Gas Industry. (November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Christine L.; Kilanski, Kristine; Muller, Chandra
• Is Part Of: Work and occupations. Volume 41:Number 4(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 440
• Page End: 476
• Publication Date: 2014-11
• Subjects: gender inequality in the workplace -- diversity -- women scientists -- oil and gas industry; Occupations -- Periodicals; Professions -- Periodicals; 306.36
• DOI: 10.1177/0730888414539172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-8884

Abstract

Since the 1980s, major U.S. corporations have embraced diversity as a management strategy to increase the number of women in top jobs. Diversity management programs include targeted recruitment, hiring, and promotions policies; mentoring programs; affinity groups; and diversity training. Few of these programs have proven effective in achieving gender diversity in the corporate world, despite their widespread popularity. To explore the reasons for this, the authors investigate the experiences of women scientists in the oil and gas industry who are targeted by these programs. In-depth interviews reveal possible reasons why these programs fail to achieve their intended goals. The authors find that these programs can paradoxically reinforce gender inequality and male dominance in the industry. The authors discuss alternative approaches for addressing gender inequality in work organizations and conclude with implications of their findings for corporate approaches to promoting diversity and for future research.