Towards organizational change: a framework for evaluating trends and approaches in Gender Equality Plans

Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) have emerged as a prominent tool employed by Research & Innovation institutions to enact strategies aimed at attaining gender equality. Nonetheless, the existing body of literature has not extensively delved into GEPs. This study endeavors to uncover prevalent trends pertaining to the various actions and approaches concerning gender equality delineated in the latest GEPs. Our focus is specifically on European universities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In this research paper, we establish a theory-based classification framework, which can be utilized to chart and evaluate diverse GEPs. We perform a Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) on Politecnico di Torino’s GEP to test the framework. Subsequent research endeavors will center on leveraging this framework to gauge the current status of GEPs within STEM Research & Innovation institutions.