Managing gender equality using the dimensions of Hofstede's National Culture and Denison's Organisational Culture (Goals 5 & 10)

Abstract

This study examines and compares the levels of Hofstede’s National Culture and Denison’s Organisational Culture among academics in public and private universities in Malaysia. It reveals the significant difference of inequality between them, which requires a better framework of governance management in the public universities. This finding on inequality is later supported by the model of Organisational Culture. The National Culture dimensions developed by Hofstede et al. (2010) and Denison and Mishra’s (1995) model of Organisational Culture are analysed in this study. The levels of Hofstede’s National Culture in the dimensions of Power distance (PD), uncertainty avoidance (UA), collectivism (C), and masculinity (M) are higher in public universities. These findings suggest an urgent need to revisit the governance management framework to ensure gender equality in public universities. SDG 5 on Gender Equality aims to ensure women’s equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in organizations. Meanwhile, SGD 10 aims to reduce inequalities by adopting policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, to progressively achieve greater gender equality.