Abstract
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the value of the adoption of a feminist epistemology in information systems and information technology (IS/IT) gender research. Much of the research undertaken in IS/IT in relation to gender issues adopts a positivist philosophy. A feminist research approach is rarely used in IS/IT gender research. This is despite the fact that it is generally accepted that the IS/IT workplace is ‘gendered’ and embodies a tacit masculine norm. This paper adopts a feminist research approach in a case study that explores imbalance in Tasmanian (Australia) IS/IT workplaces. The aim of the research was to disclose common characteristics of women currently working within the industry and to consider the factors that could impact on women moving to or being placed in IS/IT positions. Clearly a research approach that enables the researcher to explore the perspective of the research participant and as a consequence offer some insights into the declining gender balance in the field offers significant benefits.
Table of Contents
Since the inception of the IS/IT industry women have been an under-represented human resource (Nielsen et al., 2000; Panteli et al., 1999; Ahuja, 2002; The Women in Science Engineering and Technology Advisory Group, 1995). In addition, many women who gain professional qualifications in the area and enter the industry do not remain (O’Neill and Walker, 2001). Largely, the problem has been attributed to a dominant male culture in the IS/IT field. The ongoing gendered environment in IS/IT has been defined as the perpetuation of the ‘old corporate boys’ club syndrome (O’Neill and Walker, 2001, p. 118). This implies that while women are not precluded from entering the industry, little action is taken to recruit them or foster their career advancement opportunities through involvement in managerial decision-making.
To date much of the research examining gender issues in IS/IT is framed within a positivist philosophy and uses quantitative methods. The value of this stream of research is the measurement and quantification of the extent of the gender imbalance in the industry. Generally the focus is on attempting to put in place policies and strategies to address the problem (Pringle et al., 2000). However this approach has been criticised because it largely seeks to ‘add more women’ and fails to acknowledge and address the need to change the gendered culture in IS/IT workplaces if, indeed, this is possible (Adam et al., 2002).
There are few examples of research that use a subjectivist approach and qualitative method focusing on the gender imbalance in the IS/IT industry. There are even fewer examples of research that have explicitly adopted a feminist research approach.
Adam (2001) argues that the adoption of feminist theory in the study of gender within IS has the potential to reap benefits in three ways. These are:
support for IS commitment to social and cultural aspects;
commitment to emancipatory action that results in the revelation of previously hidden viewpoints, thus contributing to knowledge; and
emphasis upon the minority or repressed being involved in the development of their own methods for liberation.
In response, the aim of this paper is to adopt a feminist epistemology to demonstrate that this approach has the capability to build a rich insight into the experiences of women currently working successfully in the IT industry in Tasmania. In the short term it is not feasible to expect a change in the dominance of a male culture in IS/IT. However, reporting the experiences of women who have achieved in the industry is a positive move to weaken the extent of this domination and potentially attract women in larger numbers to careers in the IS/IT field.