Is Work Engagement Gendered?

Abstract

Purpose - The way work engagement is constructed and researched in literature is assumed, at least implicitly, to be gender-neutral where women and men have equal opportunity to demonstrate their engagement in the workplace. This review paper integrates gender into the notion of work engagement in order to examine whether the notion of work engagement is gendered. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on a review of the literatures related to work engagement and gendered organisations. Findings - The paper proposes a conceptual framework to develop and explain the notion of gendered work engagement. It shows that work engagement is gendered concept as it is easier for men to demonstrate work engagement than for women. Originality/value - The paper investigates the gendered nature of work engagement which is an under-explored area