Berger, L., et al. (2015). "Practicing Gender When Networking: The Case of University-Industry Innovation Projects." Gender, Work & Organization 22(6): 556-578.

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research – experimental

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: Networking within partnerships is a social activity influenced by social norms. Many studies regard networking as gender neutral and fail to account for significant influence of gender in their research. Other studies about disparity fail to explain the prevalence of gender norms in organizational practices or how they are reproduced in international university-industry collaborations. This study was conducted by direct observation of formal innovation meetings. The author took notes on social aspects of the meetings, tours, and social interactions including seating arrangements,  who gave input, cracked jokes, interrupted others, etc. She held interviews with participants after the meetings. By examining international collaborations and factoring for local gender disparities, we gain insight into how these dynamics are mirrored within collaborations. Distinguishing gender practices from the practicing of gender better elucidates network dynamics. This study explores the performative aspects of gender roles in organizations, particularly male dominated networks. Author concludes these small instances create a self-sustaining system of gender inequality.

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Government, Large business, Small Business, University.

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Brokers, Clinicians, Manufacturers, Policy makers, Researchers.

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Basic

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

• Personal interviews and questionnaires about gender bias can only reflect biases the subjects are themselves aware of, able to articulate, and willing to discuss honestly. Unconscious biases cannot be measured with surveys or interviews, especially if participants are reluctant to share their true feelings due to social pressure.
  Study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK Step 2.3
• Pre-established networking practices rely on gendered behaviors which exclude the non-dominant gender, preventing equal opportunity or barring members from entrance altogether.
  Study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps 2.2, 3.1
• The predominant opinion of gender in technology is that advancement is merit based and not influenced by gender; however interviews with team members are marked with categorical instances where gender is made relevant. Those categories are marginalizing the role of gender, referring to women’s gender, men connecting with men, and women maneuvering within the gender order.
  Study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK Step 2.3, 3.1
• Interviewees often stated social aspects of meetings were positively affected by the presence of women however in other questions their presence is not perceived as essential content-wise. This illustrates an unconscious inability to link the quality of social processes to the outcome of the project.
  Study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps 4.6, 4.10
• Associating technology with masculinity systemically excludes and stymies progress of women in technology or at least burdens them with coping with their status as an ‘other’.  
  Study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK Steps 2.2, 2.3, 3.1
• Emphasizing gender through humor is prevalent although it harmfully excludes the less represented gender by imposing inappropriate roles. For example, making jokes at the expense of women and saying, “My wife thinks its funny” casts the female participants present as outsiders.
  Study findings
  Occurrences within model: NtK Step 2.3

Being cognizant of gender practicing (actions taken moment to moment) in context of gender practices (existing cultural norms) enables actors to reproduce or challenge unequal practices.
Study findings
Occurrences within model: NtK Step 4.6, 4.10

When assigning roles, be cognizant of who is expected to “pour the coffee” i.e. give tours, take notes, give up a seat at the table, make small talk, plan parties, and handle other such social or domestic office labor. Assign these tasks equally by job role and be mindful not to reproduce unequal gender practices. 
Study findings
Occurrences within model: NtK Step 4.6, 4.10