Gender diversity in the public sector: reforms, challenges, and emerging opportunities

Éditeurs invités

• Younes Ben Zaied, EDC Paris Business School
• Shajara Ul-Durar, University of Sunderland
• Assil Guizani, EDC Paris Business School
• Alessandro Marra, University d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara

Synthèse

This special issue examines how gender diversity influences governance and public service outcomes. While private sector research on gender diversity is extensive, its role in public administration and state-owned enterprises remains underexplored despite its significance for equitable and accountable governance. The call seeks contributions exploring how gender-diverse teams improve decision-making quality, reduce groupthink, and strengthen public sector performance.

Governments worldwide have implemented reforms to increase female representation in public institutions, including quota systems and legal mandates. However, significant implementation gaps persist, with uneven progress in developing talent pipelines and achieving executive-level representation. This special issue investigates the actual impact of these policies on organizational outcomes and identifies barriers and enablers of women's advancement in public organizations.

Thèmes proposés

• Gender diversity and public sector performance
• Women in state-owned enterprises
• Public service delivery and gender-sensitive governance
• Barriers and enablers of women's advancement in public organizations
• Gender, ethics, and public integrity
• Future directions: towards gender-responsive public management
• Representative bureaucracy effects of women in executive agencies
• The extent to which mentorship and sponsorship programs improve women's advancement
• Gender differences in promotion rates in public agencies