IBM Study Reveals Advancing Women is Still Not a Priority for 79 percent of Global Organizations
ARMONK, N.Y., March 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by IBM (NYSE: IBM), "Women, Leadership, and the Priority Paradox," polled 2,300 executives and professionals and revealed that the leadership gender gap in the global workplace continues to persist because organizations have yet to make advancing women a formal business priority. The study also provides guidance on how to drive change.
The global study, conducted by IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) in cooperation with Oxford Economics, surveyed an equal number of women and men from organizations worldwide across multiple industries to better understand why a large gender disparity in the leadership ranks persists and what can be done to drive progress toward gender equality. In addition to the qualitative survey, IBV conducted a series of one on one interviews with executives and professionals across six global regions.
The study revealed that within those organizations surveyed, only 18 percent of senior leadership positions are held by women. This is due to three key factors:
-- Organizations are not sold on the business value. 79 percent of
respondents indicated that they have not formally prioritized fostering
gender equality in leadership within their organizations, even though
ample evidence correlates gender equity with improved financial success
and competitive advantage.
-- Men underestimate the magnitude of gender bias in their workplaces. 65
percent of male executives reported it is just as likely they would have
been promoted to a top leadership role even if they had been women,
despite the low numbers of women that currently hold those roles.
-- Few organizations display a sense of urgency or ownership about this
issue. Organizations are over-relying on "good intentions" and applying
a laissez-faire approach to diversity, rather than applying the
disciplined focus on operational execution they apply to other aspects
of organizational performance.
"The past year has heightened the world's focus on diversity, and the business benefits of inclusive teams are now well-documented," said Michelle Peluso, Senior Vice President of Digital Sales and Chief Marketing Officer. "The opportunity now is to move from inclusion being interesting to being imperative - just like we treat other top business priorities."
Despite these hurdles, there was a set of organizations -- dubbed "First Movers" in the report -- that stood out as being dedicated to achieving gender equality within their leadership ranks. Comprising 12 percent of the total sample, these organizations share characteristics and values that foster a more inclusive environment and provide a roadmap of how to create progress for other organizations:
-- They are serious about gender inclusion - All (100 percent) have made
advancing women into leadership roles a formal business priority. By
comparison, only nine percent of other organizations have the same
focus.
-- They are motivated by the promise of financial improvement - All (100
percent) are sold on the idea that gender-inclusive organizations are
more successful financially, whereas only 38 percent of other
organizations agree.
-- They acknowledge and embrace their responsibility to take action - All
(100 percent) agree that businesses need to continue making changes to
achieve gender equality in the workplace. While the majority of other
organizations in our survey also agree, 29 percent more First Movers are
passionate about taking action than other organizations.
"What we have learned from First Movers is the importance of setting measurable goals and defining a systematic approach to inclusion across the organization. This means everything from recruiting to rewarding, developing, retaining and promoting women. And, then, we must ourselves accountable to meet these goals," said Peluso.
The study also provides guidance on key steps to creating a culture that fosters gender equality in the workplace. Organizations looking to drive change need to implement concrete initiatives that directly impact performance goals and incentives at every level of the organization. The study lays out a roadmap for change that includes the following imperatives:
-- Make gender equality in leadership a business priority. Just as you
would for any other formal business priority, legitimize your commitment
by including the advancement of women in your organization's formal
business plan with key performance indicators (KPIs), budget, and
assigned resources. Select one or more senior executives to lead the
charge.
-- Create a culture of inclusion. Include gender equality in your
organization's strategic mission statement, as the vast majority of
First Movers do. Create programs that support more flexible work
arrangements and formal sponsorship initiatives.
-- Make leadership accountable for gender equality results. It is the
senior executives who truly have the power to make elevating women to
leadership positions a key strategic business priority. Further, this is
where the board of directors can play a role as part of their fiduciary
responsibilities to grow the business.
Access the full study findings here.
About IBM Institute for Business Value
The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV), part of IBM Services, develops fact-based, strategic insights for senior business executives on critical public and private sector issues. Follow @IBMIBV on Twitter, and for a full catalog of our research or to subscribe to our newsletter, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv
Media Contact
Leslie Park
IBM Media Relations
Leslie.park@ibm.com
917-421-8933
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SOURCE IBM
