Recent Issues in Gender Research: A Structured Literature Review

Purpose - to provide a review of recent literature in the field gender in different aspects because awareness of gender as a central feature of all aspects of everyday life and society is more and more widespread. Appropriately, social science research is reflecting this increasing concern with gender and the field of gender research is dynamic and constantly evolving. Therefore, it is beneficial to step back at times and observe the main themes and patterns that are emerging. Design/methodology/approach - To gather data for our study 629 articles were examined on gender taken from two key journals (Gender, Work and Organisation and Gender in Management) to outline leading issues and themes in recent research between 2005 and 2014. Originality/value - This article contributes to the literature in several ways. First, it provides a focused analysis of gender research published in these last ten years, allowing researchers to gain a better understanding of the direction of the contemporary women in work and management research. Second, it highlights the emergence of women presence in firm's corporate governance as a major area of research. Third, it draws attention to key emerging research themes in the literature. Fourth, it notes a growing focus on applied research and signs of a narrowing of the gap between gender research and practice. Practical implications - The major implication is to advance knowledge and practice in the area of gender in management and leadership by focusing upon empirical research, theoretical developments, practice and current issues. The research addresses broad-ranging social issues, not limited to political and legislative decisions, social and educational policy and economic factors, in its consideration of gender in management and leadership. Finally our analysis highlights the emergence of women presence in firm's corporate governance as a major area of research.