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Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector
Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613528701009920 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Kinnear, Lisa |
| author_browse | Kinnear, Lisa |
| author_facet | Kinnear, Lisa |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103048 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:35.225Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103048 Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector Kinnear, Lisa ichelp@gibs.co.za Molapo, Nkhethoa UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Organisational Culture Gender Diversity Equity and Inclusion Artefacts Espoused Values Underlying Assumptions Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2024. Women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles within male dominated industries like the South African manufacturing sector, despite decades of corporate commitments to gender diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) (Simionescu, Gherghina, Tawil, & Sheika, 2021). Research shows that at the current pace of change, it may take over a century to achieve gender parity in managerial positions (United Nations, 2023). This study critically examines how organisational culture shapes women’s perceptions of DEI initiatives, employing Schein’s Model of Organisational Culture as a theoretical framework (Schein, 2010). Specifically, it investigates how cultural artifacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions influence workplace experiences, career progression, and retention of women. Through a qualitative, interpretive research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with women leaders across multiple manufacturing organisations. Thematic analysis revealed persistent structural and cultural barriers, including exclusion from informal power networks, gendered leadership biases, and performative DEI strategies that fail to drive substantive change. Findings suggest that while many organisations have formal DEI policies, their effectiveness is undermined by entrenched cultural norms that reinforce male-dominated hierarchies. Women reported scepticism regarding the authenticity of these initiatives, often perceiving them as compliance-driven rather than transformative. Furthermore, the study highlights the critical role of leadership accountability, mentorship, and the establishment of psychologically safe work environments. The study provides evidence that meaningful gender diversity cannot be achieved through policy alone but requires cultural transformation at all levels of the organisation. This research contributes to both academic and industrial discussions on workplace diversity by offering practical recommendations for manufacturing organisations to bridge the gap between DEI rhetoric and lived reality. By challenging deeply ingrained cultural biases and reshaping leadership structures, organisations can create environments where women are not only present in leadership but also able to thrive. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MBA Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-05: Gender equality SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth 2025-06-30T07:03:31Z 2025-06-30T07:03:31Z 2025-09 2025-03-04 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103048 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Organisational Culture Gender Diversity Equity and Inclusion Artefacts Espoused Values Underlying Assumptions Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| title | Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| title_full | Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| title_short | Exploring the influence of organisational culture on women's perceptions of gender diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| title_sort | exploring the influence of organisational culture on women s perceptions of gender diversity equity and inclusion initiatives in the manufacturing sector |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Organisational Culture Gender Diversity Equity and Inclusion Artefacts Espoused Values Underlying Assumptions |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103048 |