Disertaciones (Dec 2012)
The Organization. Space Symbolic Construction of Sexual Difference
Abstract
The current work is done under the gender perspective within organizational studies. Gender is used in the social sciences as a category of analysis with a specific meaning: The symbolic and cultural construction of the sexual difference. This construction establishes what is masculine and what is feminine. It sets the “public” space where a paid job could be found and education is ascribed to men, as well as the “private” space where domestic duties are found, maternity, and all that is ascribed to women. This symbolic and cultural construction can be found in the organizational world, but the interactions, result from administrative practices, can modify this gender identity. It is necessary to point out that this article is part of a more general investigation. This investigation was done using a qualitative methodology in which the life histories of female administrators with decision-making positions in their organizations were taken into account. But all research work requires a theoretical reflection. The current work answers such theoretical reflection and showcases some elements to understand the gender category, the organization, and offers also some elements for the possible understanding of gender within the organization and the possibility for reimagining gender identity.
