Leading the Future - How the Gender of Leaders Influences the Development of a Supportive Organizational Culture in the Hybrid Work Era School of
Abstract
Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between the
gender of organizational leaders and their influence on the development of a
supportive organizational culture in the context of hybrid work, with a focus
on their specific actions and behaviors.
Research question:
How does the gender of organizational leaders influence the development of a
supportive organizational culture in the context of hybrid work?
Literature review:
The literature review consisted of both more traditional theories such as the
full-range leadership theory, but also newer management theories, especially
with regards to the new trend of hybrid work settings. The literature review
further has a structure that is designed according to the research question of
the study. First, theories about gender are presented, which are followed by
theories about leadership and organizational culture.
Methods:
This research has a qualitative focus on data collection. The research design
was multiple-case study, comparing female and male leadership approaches.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted via video meetings, with an equal
number of male and female leaders working with professional teams at offices
located in Sweden. The analysis was further conducted through thematic
analysis.
Conclusions:
This research concludes that leaders who exhibit androgynous behavior, with
an extra emphasis on “feminine” traits, are more likely to develop a supportive
organizational culture. This highlights the value of being person-and
relationship-oriented and fostering collaboration in developing a supportive
culture consisting of trust, well-being, collaboration and strong relationships.
Degree
Master 2-years
Collections
View/ Open
Date
2023-07-19Author
Henriksson, Karin
Keywords
Gender
individual behavior
transformational leadership
supportive organizational culture
hybrid work
Series/Report no.
Master Degree Project 2023:46
Language
eng