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Developing Effective Interventions for Gender Equality in UK Construction Project Organisations
Sexism in the workplace conflicts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which promotes sustained and inclusive economic growth, productive employment and decent work for all. One of the sectors struggling most with this issue is construction, a male-dominant sector, exposing women and non-cis-males to sexism and gender bias. To address this issue, organisations implement Gender Equality Interventions (GEIs), initiatives that aim to address the root causes and consequences of gender disparities, stereotypes, or oppression in various settings. They can be designed and implemented at different levels of analysis, including individual, interpersonal, organisational, or societal. They can also target different dimensions of gender equality, such as awareness, attitudes, behaviours, policies, or outcomes (Benschop and Verloo, 2016).
This research, carried out by Sara Hajikazemi, Associate Professor in Project Management at University of the West of Scotland, Giorgio Locatelli (Politecnico di Milano School of Management) and Kate Lawrence (University of Leeds), aims to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of different types of GEIs implemented by construction project organisations in the UK.
How to cite this research
Hajikazemi, S., Locatelli, G., & Lawrence, K. (2024). Developing Effective Interventions for Gender Equality in UK Construction Project Organisations. Association for Project Management. https://doi.org/10.61175/TNCU4467
Why is this research relevant?
Our research highlights the gender equality challenges in construction project organisations in the UK and offers scientific knowledge on effective interventions for gender equality in the sector. This report provides practical next steps to improve the work environment, particularly considering the experiences of women and non-cisgender men, who continue to face gender bias, sexism, and discrimination in their workplace.
Additionally, this study pioneers the analysis of the effectiveness of established Gender Equality Interventions (GEIs) within UK construction project organisations, positioning it as a key reference for future studies.
Who should read this report?
Senior management in the construction sector, particularly male leaders who are keen to learn more about supporting organisational culture and have the capacity to allocate time and resources to establish a culture of gender equality.
How was the research undertaken?
This research was conducted in three phases:
- A systematic review and synthesis of seventeen articles published on Gender Equality Interventions (GEIs) in project organisations.
- Twenty semi-structured interviews with UK construction professionals.
- A one-day Delphi study with the participants interviewed.
What did we discover?
Among the six main categories of GEIs applied in UK construction project organisations, structural interventions are deemed the most effective if implemented correctly. These interventions work by:
- Enhancing project stakeholders’ awareness of gender equality issues.
- Enhancing transparency in developing and implementing GEIs.
- Incentivising women to join the UK construction sector.
- Overcoming perceptual barriers to joining (and remaining in) the UK construction sector.