This research project will provide novel insights regarding the specific challenges and opportunities for gender equality within the financial sector of Norway.
The project builds on the American economist Claudia Goldin's concept (2014; 2020) of The last chapter towards gender equality: Career and family in time-consuming occupations. Utilizing three qualitative datasets spanning from 2019 to 2024, we explore the different dynamics of time and availability in customer-driven portfolio careers compared to more traditional career paths. Furthermore, we analyze the significance of these contrasting dynamics for work-family balance and gender equality within the Norwegian financial sector.
The Finance industry is international in scope, thus many industry-specific “rules of the game” are defined by international conditions. There is much to learn from studies from the world's financial hubs. However, concurrently, Norway and the Nordic countries more broadly, are recognized as frontrunners in the areas of family policy, gender equality attitudes, and partly, gender equal practices. In this project, we explore gender equality challenges in the Norwegian finance industry in relation to studies of Wall Street and the City, and pinpoint unique dilemmas and opportunities posed by the Nordic work-family paradigm.
The project will also delve into the concept of change: encompassing both ongoing transformations, stagnation, and the potential for further advancements in gender equality within the Norwegian finance industry. This exploration will be conducted within the context of a tension field, defined by the intersection of international cultures of time and availability, and the gender equal Nordic work-family ideals of involved parenthood.
Previous projects
This project will build on knowledge gained from previous projects about gender equality in finance:
- Women in finance - CORE – Centre for Research on Gender Equality (samfunnsforskning.no)
- Women, men and careers in Finance 2.0 - CORE – Centre for Research on Gender Equality (samfunnsforskning.no)
- Gender, career and childcare responsibilities among economists - CORE – Centre for Research on Gender Equality (samfunnsforskning.no)
