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Article
Publication date: 27 January 2025

Nairitee Sil and Usha Lenka

Gender inequality in leadership is a pervasive issue worldwide. Women continue to experience significant social, organization and individual challenges in their professional…

Abstract

Purpose

Gender inequality in leadership is a pervasive issue worldwide. Women continue to experience significant social, organization and individual challenges in their professional advancement, reflecting the severity of gender bias. Thus, this paper aims to address these challenges through an integrated framework of actionable, multi-layered strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws from established literature on individual behaviours, motivation appeals and organizational justice to propose an integrated framework of strategies to address gender disparities in leadership that can be effectively adapted across sectors.

Findings

The paper highlights that gender disparity in leadership is deeply entrenched and persistent, despite increased acceptance of women in professional roles, growing societal awareness about gender bias and multiple legislative measures. Hence, inclusion strategies should go beyond mere policy implementation and encompass a blend of rational, motivational and ethical approaches to bring long-term sustainability, acceptance and endorsement of gender inclusion.

Originality/value

This paper introduces a unique integrated framework of strategies by integrating various approaches for inclusion of women in leadership roles.

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 December 2024

Nairitee Sil and Usha Lenka

With only five years remaining to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the pace to achieve SDG 5 has been alarmingly slow, with projections indicating that gender…

Abstract

Purpose

With only five years remaining to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the pace to achieve SDG 5 has been alarmingly slow, with projections indicating that gender equality in leadership positions will take another 140 years to close. Thus, this paper aims to suggest actionable strategies to accelerate the process of closing the existing gender gap in leadership across organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper synthesizes findings from existing literature, global reports and policy analysis to propose targeted strategies aimed at promoting gender equality in organizations.

Findings

This paper highlights the pervasive underrepresentation of women leaders in organizations. Hence, this study proposes actionable strategies designed to achieve equality in workplaces.

Originality/value

This paper offers unique contribution by presenting 14 practical strategies geared towards gender equality in workplace, which can be adopted by organizations to foster an inclusive work culture.

Details

Strategic HR Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1475-4398

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 June 2024

Neha Kumari and Usha Lenka

This article aims to find the important factors responsible for developing people with disabilities (PwD) to be successful teleworkers, subsequently identify the interrelationship…

Abstract

Purpose

This article aims to find the important factors responsible for developing people with disabilities (PwD) to be successful teleworkers, subsequently identify the interrelationship between the factors, and finally, prioritize the factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has adopted preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology for systematic literature review. Then nominal group technique (NGT) was used to find out the crucial factors and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) to obtain the cause-and-effect relation of variables.

Findings

Trust (TR), Top Management Support (TMS), Organizational Commitment (OC), Training and Education (TE), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Job Satisfaction (JS), Flexibility and Autonomy (FA) and Job Productivity (JP) found to be the crucial factors responsible for making PwD successful teleworkers.

Practical implications

This study will benefit both organizations and PwD teleworkers if the factors mentioned in this study are focused. Policymakers in organizations can use this study to focus on prioritized factors to reap the benefit of teleworking by developing PwD.

Originality/value

This study is unique because of its innovative methodology, in-depth interviews with experts, emphasis on inclusivity and use of DEMATEL analysis. Taken as a whole, these elements add significant value to our understanding of teleworking for individuals with disabilities, which is not done in earlier disability inclusion studies.

Details

Journal of Enabling Technologies, vol. 18 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6263

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 September 2024

Bhairab Chandra Patra and Usha Lenka

The corona virus outbreak has affected the entrepreneurial ecosystem adversely. This in particular has impacted on females. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the…

Abstract

Purpose

The corona virus outbreak has affected the entrepreneurial ecosystem adversely. This in particular has impacted on females. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of females under post-COVID adverse conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 340 articles were screened applying the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses method. The EI of individuals undertaking different professional courses from three top National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) government institutes were then analyzed. In the expert analysis, the nominal group technique (NGT) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were used to identify and rank the crucial factors. Subsequently, in the exploratory analysis, a 19-item questionnaire was framed. The data was analyzed using SmartPLS 3.

Findings

Resilience, entrepreneurial education, self-concept and self-efficacy, social influence and opportunity perception were identified as critical indicators. Resilience was identified as the most significant factor. The partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that all the factors except social influence had significant effect on the EI of females.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses primarily on factors affecting females in India. As ecosystems and support vary by region and country, the authors suggest that this study be replicated in different regions/countries in the future.

Practical implications

The potential entrepreneurs can use this study's reference to identify the abilities they need. The government and academic institutions can have skill/training programs to enhance the effect of important factors identified in the study.

Originality/value

While there is growing research of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial marketing post-pandemic, there are a lack of Indian studies and female entrepreneurship studies.

Details

Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, vol. 26 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2024

Debashish Kumar Sahoo and Usha Lenka

This paper discusses the problems of gender equality in society, the workplace and the household in the specific context of India. It explicates the past and the present gender…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper discusses the problems of gender equality in society, the workplace and the household in the specific context of India. It explicates the past and the present gender diversity initiatives by government machinery to bring gender equality through affirmative action.

Design/methodology/approach

The design, methodology and approach involve a general review.

Findings

Developed countries have taken initiatives for gender equality almost in the pre-20th century and were partially successful. Despite gender diversity and affirmative action and legislation, bias still prevails in varied forms. In the case of India, the movement for gender equality started post-independence (1947). Still, there is a high disparity between men and women in society as well as in various occupations, as it is evident through a huge difference in salary, responsibilities, perquisites, recognition and promotions offered to men and women. India needs more transformation in the culture, statutory bodies and the mindset of patriarchal societies, to achieve gender equality. The legislative changes have faced resistance in their implementation due to social, cultural and religious issues, and the expectations and perceptions toward females have not been changed by the patriarchal society.

Originality/value

This paper deciphers the gender equality movement in developing countries like India, and how the planning commission of India focuses on women’s development and government machinery tries to bring down the gender gap through affirmative action. Why, in spite of all these efforts, India is not able to minimize the gender gap and concludes with reasons and implications.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Mohammad Faraz Naim and Usha Lenka

This paper aims to examine the relationship between workplace use of social media, collaboration and Gen Y employees’ engagement.

2061

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between workplace use of social media, collaboration and Gen Y employees’ engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 209 Indian Gen Y employees from information technology industry participated in the survey. Structural equation modelling is used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Findings reveal that social media has a significant positive effect on collaboration, which leads to Gen Y employees’ perceived learning, in turn impacting Gen Y employees’ engagement.

Research limitations/implications

Findings suggest a social media-enabled approach of collaboration to satisfy Gen Y employees’ perceived learning leading to their engagement. However, this study only examines the employees’ perspective; it will be prudent to examine management perspective as well in future studies.

Practical implications

Organisations must integrate social media into their talent management strategy.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in human resources pertaining to social media as an asset to promote collaboration and develops a linkage between social media and Gen Y employees’ engagement via perceived learning.

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 December 2017

Usha Lenka and Sucheta Agarwal

Women establish their enterprise for economic independence and empowerment. This study aims to identify the factors that promote women entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand, a state in…

1404

Abstract

Purpose

Women establish their enterprise for economic independence and empowerment. This study aims to identify the factors that promote women entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand, a state in India. Although, women have the potential to become entrepreneurs, they do not have the right opportunities to explore it. Therefore, the role of non-government organizations (NGOs) is imminent in supporting women's entrepreneurial cause.

Design/methodology/approach

The problems of women entrepreneurs during venture creation have been explored. Case studies of women entrepreneurs and NGOs operating in Uttarakhand have been developed through an in-depth interview method.

Findings

Entrepreneurial learning occurs because of certain personal, social and environmentally driven motivational factors. Entrepreneurial learning helps in the development of personal, social, managerial and entrepreneurial competencies. These competencies are essential for the performance of an enterprise.

Practical implications

This study provides directions to policymakers and researchers to focus on developmental programmes for women entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study explores a conceptual framework for the promotion of women entrepreneurship.

Details

Journal of Asia Business Studies, vol. 11 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1558-7894

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 January 2025

Kiran Marlapudi and Usha Lenka

The study aims to identify the essential competencies for Industry 4.0 within the manufacturing sector, to prioritise developing them among the workforce in creating a competitive…

20

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to identify the essential competencies for Industry 4.0 within the manufacturing sector, to prioritise developing them among the workforce in creating a competitive advantage for the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology to prioritize competencies. Literature review and expert input guided the identification of competencies, which were ranked by experts for their relevance, through pairwise comparisons.

Findings

Seven competency groups, encompassing 21 sub-groups, were identified as essential for the Industry 4.0 workforce. Digital-technical and industry-specific competencies emerged as the most prominent to be developed on priority, followed by cognitive and business competencies. Despite their smaller representation, core/generic competencies remain the foundation for developing the newer and more specialised competencies.

Research limitations/implications

Recognising the need for empirical studies in early-adopting organisations of Industry 4.0, future research should explore competencies across industries as well as talent development mechanisms, for a nuanced understanding of competency requirements.

Practical implications

The study informs organisations, educators and policymakers guiding workforce training, talent management and development, educational curriculum aligned with the demands of Industry 4.0 to bridge the competency gaps. It can support India’s strategic initiatives like “Make in India” by fostering a digitally ready and competent workforce.

Originality/value

This research provides an empirically validated, structured framework for Industry 4.0 competency prioritization specific to the manufacturing sector in India. It integrates expert inputs with AHP to rank competencies, offering a contextual understanding of competency requirements. It also contributes to human capital theory by advancing competency mapping for Industry 4.0.

Details

Journal of Intellectual Capital, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1469-1930

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 August 2018

Shubham Sharma and Usha Lenka

Organizational unlearning is easier said than done. Organizations are usually not cognizant of the ripe time to start questioning and discarding their existing paradigms and past…

441

Abstract

Purpose

Organizational unlearning is easier said than done. Organizations are usually not cognizant of the ripe time to start questioning and discarding their existing paradigms and past success formulas. This paper aims to recommend the use of a financial metric, i.e. value-added statement, as a trigger to unlearning in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a review of existing literature on organizational unlearning to highlight that although prescriptive studies on unlearning are abundant, “how” and “when” organizations should contemplate and discard the obsolete knowledge and routines is still inconspicuous.

Findings

Value-added statement is an adequate reporting measure that incorporates the contribution of organization toward not only its shareholders but also other stakeholders such as employees, providers of long-term finance, government, and public. It supplements income statement and provides an insight of how organizations are serving its interest groups. A decline in value addition by an organization in a reporting period can serve as a trigger to question the existing practices and break organization’s over-dependence on “one size fits all” approach.

Originality/value

Unlearning is considered as a means to attain financial performance in an organization. This paper attempts to recommend a financial metric which incorporates the economic, social, and environmental aspects of business, i.e. value-added statement. The rationale for not recommending other financial metrics as a trigger for unlearning is based on grounds of possible manipulation. Moreover, these financial statements are affected by legal, political, and economic context of a nation.

Details

Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, vol. 33 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7282

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 January 2023

Bhairab Chandra Patra and Usha Lenka

The purpose of this article is to (1) map the most important topics in the domain of sustainable business practices for entrepreneurial firms in emerging countries, (2) identify…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to (1) map the most important topics in the domain of sustainable business practices for entrepreneurial firms in emerging countries, (2) identify important terms in the various dimensions of sustainability in business and (3) identify the important practices and prioritize the practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has adopted a unique methodology that combines state-of-art scientometric analysis with the fuzzy nominal group technique (NGT) and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). Results obtained from the co-occurrence analysis in scientometrics were further mapped through NGT to obtain the list of the most important topics in the domain. The factors affecting sustainable business practices obtained through topic mapping were analyzed through fuzzy DEMATEL to obtain the cause-and-effect relation of variables.

Findings

The scale of firms, leadership, uncertainty, gender, country/location, education and tourism were found to be the factors affecting the sustainable business practices of entrepreneurial firms. The sustainable business practices for entrepreneurial firms were (1) innovation, (2) resilience, (3) policy, (4) business ethics and virtue ethics, (5) business model, (6) upcycling and value creation, (7) collaboration and (8) triple bottom line.

Practical implications

Policymakers in entrepreneurial firms, as well as other organizations, can implement the identified sustainable business practices to obtain optimum results and smooth functioning of the companies. The research framework obtained can be tested using exploratory methods.

Originality/value

Very few researchers have used the technique of scientometric analysis to identify the sustainable business practices of entrepreneurial firms, and to the best of the knowledge of the authors, no earlier researcher has attempted to use the technique of topic mapping, fuzzy NGT and fuzzy DEMATEL in combination.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

1 – 10 of 54