Success factors related to gender inclusion: Insights from organizational change initiatives

Women are underrepresented in areas within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) sector. This applies to both education and decision-making bodies. This paper compares two different approaches to gender inclusion and organizational change. One of them was deemed to be successful while the other was unsuccessful. These cases have also been presented as a Lighthouse case within the EU project RES4CITY.This paper examines the reasons for the varying levels of resistance within these two projects with the purpose to identify factors that can increase changes of success in similar initiatives. Success factors identified in this case study for change initiatives include internal initiation, voluntary participation, integration of theory and practice, adequate expertise, allowing sufficient time for research and change, bridging status gaps, forming alliances with committed collaborators, adopting an evolutionary approach, addressing resistance, and emphasizing fairness and justice. These factors serve as guidelines for implementing effective change initiatives in organisations and projects. Implications for similar initiatives are discussed.