Gender, race and power: an intersectional reading of “opting out”
Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management
ISSN: 1746-5648
Article publication date: 15 June 2020
Issue publication date: 3 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper considers the phenomenon of “opting out” from an intersectional lens, bringing in hitherto undertheorized dimensions of gender, race and power into the conversation related to why and how some women of color may make the “choice” to leave an organization.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a single case study approach, our research elucidates how identity-connected experiences unconnected to work/life balance constraints and tensions caused one immigrant woman of color to leave the workplace. We expand upon the current use of intersectionality in management and organization studies by applying it as a lens to bring into consideration power relations in organizations and structural inequality as the context for understanding why and how some women of color may leave their places of employment.
Findings
Based on our in-depth case study, we demonstrate that microaggressions, power relations, and structural inequities contribute to some women of color opting out.
Originality/value
This paper is of value to scholars interested in intersectionality framework applications.
Keywords
Citation
Meléndez, G. and Özkazanç-Pan, B. (2021), "Gender, race and power: an intersectional reading of “opting out”", Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, Vol. 16 No. 3/4, pp. 658-673. https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-02-2019-1724
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited