Actualized in the aftermath of the #Metoo movement, gender related structures are discussed all over the Western countries. The Scandinavian countries are known for their strive for gender equality. However, many occupations and branches as well as levels within the Scandinavian labour markets remain marked by gendered structures. One such example is the crisis management system.
Hence, in line with most current gender research, our theoretical starting point is that the crisis management system, as well as the interpretative prerogative of risk and crisis, are masculine coded. Further, leading positions in general also tend to be masculine coded. Against this background, it is reasonable to assume that the experiences and views of women active as leaders in the area entail interesting insights and perspectives.
The aim of this study thus is to highlight and discuss gender related understandings, structures and processes in the context of crisis management system. Here, we are particularly interested in understandings and experiences of leadership and leadership as a career path.
This qualitative study is based on in-depth interviews with five Norwegian and eight Swedish leaders and other professionals active within the two countries’ crisis management systems. Topics of the interviews included the road to becoming a leader, understandings and experiences of leadership, as well as views of different groups’ roles in the context of crises.
Preliminary findings indicate that the road to achieving a leadership position tended to consist of long processes with several minor steps. Further, leadership is experienced as permeated with gendered expectations. As a consequence, a continuous strive for balancing female coded characteristics and forms of communication with the hegemonic leadership ideals was required.