Participation in the workplace: gender perspectives from Bangladesh

Abstract

Studies on participation in organizational decision making in the context of developing countries are limited, especially from a gender perspective. Based on a survey of government and private sector employees in Dhaka, Bangladesh, this study explores the extent to which women have been integrated in the workforce and how both genders perceive their participation in decision making. Organizational climate is perceived as healthy, while communication between the genders does not reflect major barriers or animosities. Yet, in the largely traditional male‐dominated organizational setting, it is interesting to note that while overt resistance to women has decreased, subtle hostilities continue to resonate. Such hostilities adversely affect perceived participation. A strain of conservatism also continues to exert some negative influence on perceived participation but mostly on women.