People-Friendly Organizations: Why We Need an Alternative Default Model

31 Pages Posted: 4 Nov 2010

See all articles by Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries

INSEAD - Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise

Elisabet Engellau

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: November 3, 2010

Abstract

Why, when they are challenging men’s performance at every academic level in the developed world and, in spite of all the efforts made to avoid discriminatory practices, do women still fail to secure the top positions in the workplace? Why do they gravitate toward certain occupations? Given what we know about the differences between male and female functioning, is it not time to create inclusive, people-friendly organizations more appropriate to 21st century?

In this paper we try to give answers to these questions, deal with the issue whether the kinds of organizational structures and practices that attract women might also benefit men, and ask whether the male-oriented default position of organizational design has had its day.

Keywords: Male, Female, Biology, Nature and Nurture, Social Constructivism, Hormonal Influences, Mother-child Relationships, Testosterone, Oxytocin, Tender-mindedness, Implicit Association Test, Symbolism, Psychodynamic Theories, People-friendly Organization

Suggested Citation

Kets de Vries, Manfred F.R. and Engellau, Elisabet, People-Friendly Organizations: Why We Need an Alternative Default Model (November 3, 2010). INSEAD Working Paper No. 2010/95/EFE/IGLC, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1702402 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1702402

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries (Contact Author)

INSEAD - Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise ( email )

Fontainebleau Cedex, F-77305
France

Elisabet Engellau

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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