Changes in working with gender equality in management in Sweden

Abstract

Purpose

The article is based on a study of the changes in the methods used in working with gender equality issues in management in Sweden from the early 1990s until the early 2000s.

Design/methodology/approach

The material consists of interviews with 20 people who work either as employees in organisations or as business owners/consultants in the field of increasing the numbers of women at executive levels. In the article, they are referred to as “equality professionals”.

Findings

The changes that have taken place may be described in two ways – partly changes in how the work is pursued within organisations, and partly through the work having moved to other arenas. When summarising the material, four overriding trends can be identified that characterise the changes in gender equality work: (1) a more radical understanding of gender equality among groups positive to change; (2) a professionalisation of gender equality work; (3) a shift from organisational projects to working with individuals; (4) a shift from organisational projects to influencing organisations from other public arenas.Research limitations/implications – Its focus on Sweden as well as its focus on a specific, quite small (20) group of people.

Practical implications

Useful and interesting for those working with gender equality, especially as Sweden is sometimes put forward as “the world's most gender equal country”.

Originality/value

The article has value because it shows the Swedish context as well as the longitudinal approach, i.e. that the study focuses on a 10‐year period (1993‐2002) and includes comparative material.

Citation

Wahl, A. and Höök, P. (2007), "Changes in working with gender equality in management in Sweden", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 26 No. 5, pp. 435-448. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610150710756649