Gender Initiative

Our latest research on women in business.

The INSEAD Gender Initiative integrates research, business and pedagogy to engage the full potential of both women and men.

Its community of gender researchers conduct cutting-edge research on the experiences and impact of women in business and society. The initiative builds relationships with organisations to enhance their commitment to gender balance and their ability to fulfil this goal. It further strives to create a pipeline of future business leaders who are passionate and equipped to drive gender balance within their existing and future organisations.

Its mission is to create and disseminate knowledge that advances women leaders and optimises their contributions within and beyond their organisations. The Gender Initiative strives to engage both men and women in this effort, inspiring all to take action.

Our latest research on women in business.

Responsibility

Bringing DEI into the Core of Our Institutions

M. Akinola, Z. Kinias, M. Norton, B. Kessler

Implementing DEI concepts effectively in business-school classrooms requires support from both institutions and the wider community.

Responsibility

The Impact of Investor Gender on Female Founders

K. Snellman, I. Solal

Female-led start-ups backed only by female venture capitalists have a harder time raising follow-on capital.

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Economics & Finance

How the Daily Commute Affects the Gender Wage Gap

A. Roulet, T. Le Barbanchon, R. Barthelot

Women’s aversion for commuting motivates them to look for closer and not-so-well paid jobs compared to men.

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Leadership & Organisations

Enabling Productive Thinking to Develop Gender Balance

Zoe Kinias

Subtle mental shifts can increase people’s responsiveness to the gender gap, and their commitment to doing something about it.

Responsibility

Integrating Diversity Into Business Education

Z. Kinias, M. Akinola, A. Carter, M. Norton, K. Phillips

Conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion can be uncomfortable. But business school classrooms need to embrace them nonetheless.

Leadership & Organisations

Building Gender Balance Against the Odds

B Kessler, C Cortland, Z Kinias

To enable women’s advancement where it’s needed most, individual, interpersonal and institutional changes are required.

Leadership & Organisations

What Makes for Inclusive Working Cultures?

B. Kessler, C. Cortland, Z. Kinias, E. Sherman

Interventions designed to increase women’s cultural fit can also create a better working environment for everyone.

Economics & Finance

Creating More Economic Equality for Women

B Kessler, C Cortland, Z Kinias

How to address resource-based gender gaps across a wide variety of contexts.

Leadership & Organisations

Freeing Women – and Men – From Gender Stereotypes

B. Kessler, C. Cortland & Z. Kinias

Research from INSEAD’s 2nd annual Women at Work conference offers practical solutions for establishing gender-balanced workplace norms.

Entrepreneurship

Women Are Risk-Takers, Too: Busting Gender Myths in the Start-up Space

C. Lin, D. Gurcu

A tissue of stereotypes and pseudo-science forms the “rational” basis for gender bias in entrepreneurship.

Leadership & Organisations

Promoting Gender Balance Is Everyone's Business

Z. Kinias, J. Petriglieri

Progressive companies are moving from awareness to action, and systemic challenges must be overcome.

Career

What Women on the Board Need to Know

Three INSEAD alumnae share their wisdom as board directors.

Leadership & Organisations

Building Gender Balance Through Behavioural Design

Z. Kinias, C. Cortland

What can organisations do when changing mindsets isn’t enough?

Leadership & Organisations

How These Leading CEOs Are Tackling Gender Inequality

Persistently setting new norms helps organisations battle stubborn gender imbalances.

Leadership & Organisations

Social Support Sets Women Up for Success at Work

Zoe Kinias & Clarissa Cortland

Organisations are investing heavily to level the playing field for professional women, but they often lack a systematic approach.

Leadership & Organisations

Gender Balance: Moving From Awareness to Action

B Kessler, C Cortland, Z Kinias

A clear-eyed, nuanced organisational perspective can strengthen employee engagement and galvanise change.

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Leadership & Organisations

Three Ways to Build Resilience Against Gender Bias

B. Kessler, C. Cortland, Z. Kinias

Simple, low-cost psychological interventions can be part of an organisational toolkit for enabling gender balance.

Career

How to Get More Women to Work in Tech

Lucia Del Carpio & Maria Guadalupe

Role models and reassurance about potential success can impact women’s career decisions.

Entrepreneurship

Having a Social Mission Benefits Women Entrepreneurs

Matthew Lee & Laura Huang

Highlighting a venture’s social impact can help female entrepreneurs overcome gender bias.

Leadership & Organisations

The Truth About Gender Stereotypes

B Kessler, C Cortland, Z Kinias

Unraveling popular notions about gender differences in organisations.

Leadership & Organisations

Tailored Approaches Needed for Gender Balance

Vinika D. Rao & V. Paddy Padmanabhan

Greater male involvement and tailored programmes are emerging as sources of hope in tackling gender inequality in Asia.

Leadership & Organisations

Promoting Gender Balance Wisely

B. Kessler, C. Cortland & Z. Kinias

Researchers are identifying powerful, yet sometimes nuanced interventions that can improve outcomes for women and the businesses and societies they serve.