Reflecting on perceived deinstitutionalization of gender-biased employment practices in accountancy

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the changes in gender-biased employment practices that it is perceived have occurred in New Zealand accountancy workplaces over the last 30 years, using Oliver's model of deinstitutionalization. Design/methodology/approach - Sequential interviewing was carried out with 69 experienced chartered accountants and three human resource managers, and at a later date with nine young female accountants. Findings - Evidence is presented of perceived political, functional and social pressures cumulatively contributing to deinstitutionalization of overt gender-biased employment practices, with social and legislative changes being the most influential. Deinstitutionalization appears incomplete as some more subtle gender-biased practices still remain in New Zealand's accountancy workplaces, relating particularly to senior-level positions. Research limitations/implications - This study adds to understanding of how professions evolve. The purposeful bias in the sample selection, the small size of two of the interviewee groups, and the diversity in the interviewees' workplaces are recognized limitations. Practical implications - Identification of further cultural change is required to deinstitutionalize the more subtle gender-biased practices in accountancy organizations. This could help to avoid a serious deficiency of senior chartered accountants in practice in the future. Originality/value - This paper represents one of a limited number of empirical applications of the deinstitutionalization model to organizational change and is the first to address the issue of gender-biased practices in a profession. The use of sequential interviewing of different age groups, in order to identify and corroborate perceptions of organizational change is a novel approach.