Networking as an Organisational and Structural Barrier for Women: A Systematic Literature Review (1985-2021)
Networking as an Organisational and Structural Barrier for Women: A Systematic Literature Review (1985-2021)

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses the literature on women and networking between 1985 and 2021 to explore what is known about networking and its effect on women, and what new research is needed on networking. The authors analysed a total of 78 articles published in women and gender studies journals. Thematic analysis and three-tier coding have been used in analysing available articles. Findings reveal that organisational cultures did not change during the four decades of research as boys’ clubs still exist and take men ahead much more than women’s networks take women ahead. Old boys’ clubs remain persistent and more powerful than women’s networks and women do not report benefits from networking even when they engage with this, often-seen, masculine practice. Women also report exclusion from important professional networks and this is a theme that consistently runs through research, and additionally, many women cannot join networks due to the social expectation that women will look after families.

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