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Discourse and Enactment: Gender Inequality in Text and Context:

Discourse and Enactment: Gender Inequality in Text and Context: This paper examines the discourse surrounding a major U.K. initiative designed to increase the “quality and quantity” of women's participation in the workforce and in managerial roles. Texts are studied to explore ways in which the persistence of inequalities may, without apparent intention, be encoded in language. Our analysis suggests that cognitive schemata are framed by the dominant discourse, here of “target-setting” within organizations. We find from commentaries that even potential critics of the campaign were drawn into acceptance of a common agenda and have been thereby diverted from addressing other pressing issues affecting women's opportunities. This analysis draws upon a conceptual scheme which is concerned with ways in which cycles of cognition, action, and outcome collectively actualize social structures, a process referred to as social enactment. We explore how a conventional discourse reinforces enactment processes supporting prevailing structures while new discourse offers the potential for change. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Human Relations SAGE

Discourse and Enactment: Gender Inequality in Text and Context:

Garnsey, Elizabeth; Rees, Bronwen
Human Relations , Volume 49 (8): 24 – Apr 22, 2016
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References (29)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 by The Tavistock Institute
ISSN
0018-7267
eISSN
1741-282X
DOI
10.1177/001872679604900802
Publisher site
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Abstract

This paper examines the discourse surrounding a major U.K. initiative designed to increase the “quality and quantity” of women's participation in the workforce and in managerial roles. Texts are studied to explore ways in which the persistence of inequalities may, without apparent intention, be encoded in language. Our analysis suggests that cognitive schemata are framed by the dominant discourse, here of “target-setting” within organizations. We find from commentaries that even potential critics of the campaign were drawn into acceptance of a common agenda and have been thereby diverted from addressing other pressing issues affecting women's opportunities. This analysis draws upon a conceptual scheme which is concerned with ways in which cycles of cognition, action, and outcome collectively actualize social structures, a process referred to as social enactment. We explore how a conventional discourse reinforces enactment processes supporting prevailing structures while new discourse offers the potential for change.

Journal

Human Relations – SAGE

Published: Apr 22, 2016

Keywords: discourse,enactment,equal opportunity,women in management

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