A blind spot in organization studies: gender with ethnicity, nationality and religion

Arifeen, Shehla Riza and Gatrell, Caroline (2013) A blind spot in organization studies: gender with ethnicity, nationality and religion. Gender in Management, 28 (3). pp. 151-170. ISSN 1754-2413

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to make a case for empirical research for British Pakistani managerial and professional women, a group who have remained invisible in organization studies; to give voice to their experiences, to highlight the issues and challenges they are facing as women who have careers, their perceptions of what they are and how they have reached where they are and where do they think they would be going while taking an all-inclusive view of the historical/social/culture/religious context. Design/methodology/approach – The paper undertakes a comprehensive re-examination of the intersectional approach. An approach of gender with ethnicity and with religion and nationality or diaspora is suggested, in order to capture identities and focuses on relationship between gender and other categories of difference, in particular gender. Findings – A review of race/ethnicity in organization studies in the UK reveals the homogenizing of ethnicities and a gap, as there is a lack of focused research on a large ethnic group in the United Kingdom. The paper then argues for intersectionality as being the most valid method as a means of analysis of a complex phenomenon, as it bridges partly the theoretical gap between critical theory and liberalism or deconstructionist tradition. Originality/value – Empirical research on this marginalized group of women will highlight the structures and systems that are created and maintained. These may be self-created and self-perpetuated, but unless and until voice has been given to their experiences they will remain unknown.