Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the issue of gender specific treatment in the workplace with a focus on the Nigerian banking sector. To achieve this, social role theory and role congruity theory were considered to explore how men and women view themselves in the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured in-depth face to face interviews were conducted with 24 participants who are professionals in 8 Nigerian banks in order to get an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. The research employed a qualitative research approach founded on grounded theory. The research was conducted with employees of commercial banks in Nasawara state and Abuja which is the Federal Capital territory of Nigeria.
Findings – The results indicate that corporate prostitution is a significant issue in the Nigerian banking sector. The other issues that emerged from this study are that women are not only stuck at low level jobs but face disparate treatment in terms of unrealistic targets, responsibility and status quo.
Research limitations/implications –
This is an empirical study and contributes to the theory by providing new perspective on the study of gender roles as the participants share their voices and experiences working in Nigerian banks. This study only considered few banks operating in two states in the Nigerian banking sector and therefore future research activities should consider other banks in other states and also other sectors in Nigeria and determine any potential boundaries of this findings.
Practical implications –
The study reveals several significant issues of gender disparate treatment in the workplace thereby helping the HR practitioners and policy makers to review their policies to promote gender equality in the workplace. The change in policies in the work setting would also bring in change in the social perception.
Originality/value –
This study moves away from the polarised conceptualisation of gender between extremes of biological essentialism and social constructivism and instead explored a more nuanced conceptualisation of the term in order to provide a deeper understanding of the theories of gender and their socio-cultural implications on human relationships across various contexts. The study also provides a framework based on its findings for further research.
Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured in-depth face to face interviews were conducted with 24 participants who are professionals in 8 Nigerian banks in order to get an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under investigation. The research employed a qualitative research approach founded on grounded theory. The research was conducted with employees of commercial banks in Nasawara state and Abuja which is the Federal Capital territory of Nigeria.
Findings – The results indicate that corporate prostitution is a significant issue in the Nigerian banking sector. The other issues that emerged from this study are that women are not only stuck at low level jobs but face disparate treatment in terms of unrealistic targets, responsibility and status quo.
Research limitations/implications –
This is an empirical study and contributes to the theory by providing new perspective on the study of gender roles as the participants share their voices and experiences working in Nigerian banks. This study only considered few banks operating in two states in the Nigerian banking sector and therefore future research activities should consider other banks in other states and also other sectors in Nigeria and determine any potential boundaries of this findings.
Practical implications –
The study reveals several significant issues of gender disparate treatment in the workplace thereby helping the HR practitioners and policy makers to review their policies to promote gender equality in the workplace. The change in policies in the work setting would also bring in change in the social perception.
Originality/value –
This study moves away from the polarised conceptualisation of gender between extremes of biological essentialism and social constructivism and instead explored a more nuanced conceptualisation of the term in order to provide a deeper understanding of the theories of gender and their socio-cultural implications on human relationships across various contexts. The study also provides a framework based on its findings for further research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 2 Aug 2019 |
| Event | Women's Leadership Symposium in Oxford - Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Duration: 31 Jul 2019 → 2 Aug 2019 https://www.oxford-womens-leadership-symposium.com/presentations-and-symposia-programmes/ |
Conference
| Conference | Women's Leadership Symposium in Oxford |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Oxford |
| Period | 31/07/19 → 2/08/19 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- Gender
- Nigerian Banks
