The research impact agenda and gender

Abstract

This paper reviews studies on the research productivity of women scholars. Drawing on institutional theory and Acker’s (2009) inequality regimes, we examine institutional and individual influences affecting female researchers. Specifically, we investigate diversity in relation to the research impact agenda by analyzing impact cases for business and management studies produced in the UK's 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). We ask: how might the new research impact agenda help or hinder women management scholars’ impact in the academy? To date, no studies have examined gender diversity at the level of sub specialisms within disciplinary units of assessment in relation to research impact cases. For succession planning and talent management, business schools need to map diversity within the authorship of cases that are designed to demonstrate the non-academic benefits of academic research. Our findings revealed that only 31% of cases included at least one woman in the research team but that a wide range of topics and institutions are represented. Recommendations are made for further research into the emergence and micro dynamics of gender diversity within impact case projects and the implications for doctoral training and faculty development, especially for early career researchers.