The Covid Shift : working women's punctuated equilibrium
Leadership & Organization Development Journal
ISSN: 0143-7739
Article publication date: 19 October 2022
Issue publication date: 7 November 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working women.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper on women in the formal workforce is grounded within the leadership and organization development literature.
Findings
The authors posit the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent instability in the US workforce, particularly among women and mothers, is effectively examined through the lens of punctuated equilibrium. Specifically, the widespread disruption initiated by the pandemic provides an opportunity for transformative change within organizations and society. Furthermore, working women impacted during this punctuated equilibrium are likewise positioned for transformation. The authors suggest the pandemic and its impact on the formal workforce can be leveraged for individual and organizational development as well as transformation, resulting in advancement toward self-authorship and increased equity within organizations, respectively.
Originality/value
This paper offers a novel integration and application of three leadership and organization development concepts: punctuated equilibrium, the self-authorship theory and Theory U, to better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working women.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Beginning in 2020, Purcell and Rodriguez forged a vertically integrated research team, consisting of high school, undergraduate and graduate students and cross-disciplinary scholars, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on women and mothers.
The authors are appreciative of the contributions of North Cobb High School students: Daniela Guthrie and Joshua Guthrie as well as graduate student Rebecca Izquierdo, Master of Science in International Policy Management, whose efforts helped to establish the foundation for this study.
This research was supported by the Kennesaw State University Division of Diverse and Inclusive Excellence through a funded research grant awarded to Dr Jennifer W. Purcell in recognition of her role as Faculty Fellow for Gender and Work Life Issues during the academic year 2021–2022.
Citation
Purcell, J.W., Rodriguez, D.X. and Ring, K.A. (2022), "The
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited