National culture favouring gender equality, supervisor gender and supportive behaviours towards employees

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12920737
AutoresSonia María Suárez Ortega (0000-0002-2540-5042, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, autor de correspondencia), Mar Suarez (0000-0002-2393-2228, Universidad de Salamanca), Antonia Mercedes García Cabrera (0000-0001-9150-7998, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
Año2024
Volumen39
Número8
Páginas1114-1132
Fecha de publicación2024-05-16
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaGender in Management An International Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1754-2413 • E-ISSN: 1754-2421
EditorialEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/gm-04-2023-0147
OpenAlexW4396956662
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas36

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of the interplay between national culture and supervisor gender on supervisors’ supportive behaviours towards employees in Europe. Design/methodology/approach Based on Hofstede’s cultural scores for 34 European countries, two clusters of countries were identified, reflecting two cultural configurations: favouring versus not favouring gender equality (GE). For hypotheses testing, the authors used a sample of 21,335 native employees, obtained from the European Working Conditions Survey. Findings Women in supervisory positions, compared to men, provided more support to subordinates in terms of respect, recognition, encouraging development and providing feedback. In countries with cultures favouring progress towards GE (small power distance, weak uncertainty avoidance, individualism and indulgence), only respect and recognition were more prevalent. In countries with opposing cultural configurations, other supportive behaviours stood out: coordinating work, providing feedback and helping with work. Furthermore, the impact of supervisor gender on supportive behaviours was influenced by national culture. Gender differences were larger in countries with a culture favouring progress towards GE compared to countries not favouring such progress. Originality/value The authors present a pioneering study that delves into national values as they relate to progress towards GE to understand the differences between male and female supervisors in the display of six supportive behaviours towards their subordinates. Their cultural approach nuances some of the predictions of social role theory

Gender equality · Political science · Sociology · Supervisor · Family Business Performance and Succession · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology