Effective management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: gender aspects

Abstract

The article attempts to clarify gender differences in management styles and their impact on the management effectiveness in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Due to all uncertainty concerning the pandemic period duration, the scale of the consequences, and possible new threats that could lead to crisis situations, this issue is of great scientific interest, as leaders who are able to ensure effective crisis management are of particular importance nowadays. A comparison of coronavirus statistics based on four women-led states and four men-led states with about the same population upon 18 months after the pandemic start shows that morbidity and mortality rates are generally lower in countries with women leaders. Moreover, while the introduction of lockdown and other emergency measures to curb the virus spread may lead to a slowdown in economic development and GDP declines, it can be seen that women-led governments have managed to avoid a predicted decline in GDP. Some countries have even shown positive economic growth during the pandemic. The results of our study showed the high effectiveness of women leaders in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. Based on the analysis of management activity results during the pandemic as well as scientific research on gender differences in management styles, we have identified the following gender features that stipulate the effectiveness of crisis management: women's ability to carry out more active and coherent political measures in the context of emergency well combined with the ability to avoid health and safety risks; ability to consider expert advice and the needs of the population; the manifestation of greater social concern by increased funding of health care, social protection and education; ability to clearly, decisively and empathically communicate with different age and social groups. In addition, women are less prone to corruption and bribery, they tend to team- management and forward-thinking. In our opinion, the high potential of women to apply transformational and androgynous leadership styles, which proved to be the most effective in the pandemic, have played a crucial role in the effectiveness of management during the COVID-19 crisis.