This study analyses gender issues in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) frameworks of commercial banks in Bangladesh with reference to four theoretical perspectives on CSR: instrumental, political, integrative and ethical. It examines how gender issues are addressing in CSR framework and how it could advance gender equality issues and how CSR policies relating to gender are translated by the commercial banks to integrate gender equality in their reporting in Bangladesh Bank (The central bank of Bangladesh).
Based on the analysis of relevant data and information, it finds that gender issues of CSR are practicing mostly in instrumental and political way rather than integrative and ethical way due to regulatory requirement. However, the trends of practices are representing the positive approach to the integrative and ethical perspectives on gender issues in commercial banks of Bangladesh over time which could be proved in future for the time being.
Table of Contents
SECTION 1: Introduction
Focus and objectives of the project
Research questions and propositions
Overview of analytical framework and its application
Research methodology
Outline of the project
SECTION 2: Analytical Framework
Relationships between CSR, gender commitments and regulatory requirements
Definitions and scope
Corporate social responsibility
Gender issues
Regulatory requirements
CSR, gender commitments and regulatory requirements: four theoretical perspectives
Instrumental perspective
Political perspective
Integrative perspective
Ethical perspective
Concluding synthesis
SECTION 3: Empirical Analysis
Application of analytical framework
Commercial banks of Bangladesh and regulationby Bangladesh Bank
CSR activities of commercial banks in Bangladesh
Gender in CSR activities of commercial banks: Initiatives from 2011
Gender commitments in general
Female percentage among board
Female percentage among permanent employees
Permanent female employees on break-down by age
Turnover ratio
Maternity leave policy
Daycare facilities
Transport facilities for women working beyond usual office hour
Toilet facilities
Gender awareness training for employees
Sexual harassment policy and complaints
Analysis of findings in accordance with four perspectives
Instrumental perspective
Political perspective
Integrative and ethical perspectives
Concluding synthesis
Section 4: Conclusion
Main findings
Limitations and suggestions for future research
Concluding observation
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
This project aims to investigate how gender issues are addressed within the corporate social responsibility (CSR) frameworks of commercial banks in Bangladesh. By applying four theoretical perspectives—instrumental, political, integrative, and ethical—the research analyzes how regulatory guidelines translate into organizational practices regarding gender equality and identifies the motivations behind these corporate commitments.
- Analysis of gender equality within CSR frameworks in the Bangladeshi banking sector.
- Evaluation of bank reporting practices concerning gender-specific performance indicators.
- Application of instrumental, political, integrative, and ethical theoretical perspectives to CSR activities.
- Examination of the regulatory role of Bangladesh Bank in promoting workplace gender equality.
- Assessment of current trends in maternity leave, daycare, training, and recruitment policies.
Excerpt from the Book
Instrumental perspective
According to McWilliams and Seigal (2001), an adequate level of philanthropic investment is acceptable for the purpose of profit (p. 117) which is a viewpoint of instrumental aspects. Grosser & Moon (2004) argue the field of women employment and wages has been emerging an interest for long-term business success and equality of opportunity which is beyond the basic equal opportunity regulation for gender diversity in employment (p.329). By this way, recruiting female employees in entry level and age less than 30 is one kind of instrument for profit making idea. In the socio-cultural context of Bangladesh, women are service giver and men are service taker (Dhali 2012, p.6) and women have been traditionally excluded from mainstreaming commercial operations (Warner 2009). According to these cultural norms and stereotype of women, recruitment of young women in customer service, help desk, personal secretary is very popular practice in corporate culture rather than working in mainstream sectors of organizational structure.
In same way, profit oriented private and foreign commercial banks have large portion of entry level female employee in comparison with state-owned and specialized commercial banks. Most of them work with customer care, front desk and cash section related activities and direct deals with customer (Bank’s website)which represents the instrumental perspective of economic gain. But the ratio in state-owned and specialized banks hasnot as large as private and foreign commercial banks. State-owned and specialized banks follow national recruitment policy of Bangladesh which contains 10 percent female in recruitment as female quota (reservation post) beyond the merit list from 1985 to now (Jahan 2012, p.36).Interestingly, some islami shariah-based banks have no female recruitment policy due to religious norms and values (Bank’s Website). Again, small percentage of women in more than 50 years old age groups represents the negative tendency of female employees in senior management.This trend signifies that the patriarchal society of Bangladesh does not like to get women in decision making level (Alam 2011, p.18).
Summary of Chapters
SECTION 1: Introduction: This chapter outlines the research objectives, poses key questions regarding gender in CSR, and explains the methodological approach based on primary and secondary data analysis.
SECTION 2: Analytical Framework: This section establishes the theoretical basis for the study by defining CSR and gender issues and detailing the four theoretical lenses (instrumental, political, integrative, and ethical) used to analyze corporate behavior.
SECTION 3: Empirical Analysis: This chapter presents the data on gender commitments in commercial banks, covering recruitment, turnover, and workplace policies, and evaluates these findings through the selected theoretical perspectives.
Section 4: Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the main findings, discusses limitations, and provides recommendations for future research regarding the slow progress of integrative and ethical gender practices.
Keywords
Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, Gender Equality, Commercial Banks, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank, Gender Mainstreaming, Instrumental Perspective, Political Perspective, Integrative Perspective, Ethical Perspective, Workplace Diversity, Gender Commitments, Corporate Governance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
This work examines how gender equality issues are integrated into the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks and practices of commercial banks in Bangladesh.
What are the central thematic areas of the study?
The study centers on workplace gender diversity, recruitment practices, maternity policies, daycare availability, gender training, and the influence of regulatory bodies on these corporate activities.
What is the main objective or research question?
The core objective is to analyze how commercial banks in Bangladesh address gender issues within their CSR frameworks and to what extent these frameworks effectively advance gender equality in organizational operations.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The study employs a desktop methodology, analyzing primary data from commercial bank websites and secondary data reported to the central bank (Bangladesh Bank) between 2007 and 2014, interpreted through table charts and theoretical frameworks.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body includes a review of CSR definitions, an analytical framework based on four theoretical perspectives (instrumental, political, integrative, and ethical), and an empirical analysis of specific banking sector data regarding gender equality initiatives.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The study is characterized by terms such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Gender Equality, Bangladesh, Commercial Banks, Gender Mainstreaming, and CSR Frameworks.
Why are commercial banks in Bangladesh primarily adopting gender equality measures?
The data suggests that banks often adopt these measures due to regulatory requirements and perceived economic benefits (instrumental and political perspectives) rather than purely out of an ethical or social demand.
What role does the Bangladesh Bank play in these CSR practices?
Bangladesh Bank acts as a regulatory body that introduces guidelines and requires periodic reporting on CSR activities, although the adoption of many specific gender-related measures remains voluntary rather than mandatory.
How is the progress of gender equality in senior management described?
The study observes that progress in senior management is slow, reflecting patriarchal societal norms in Bangladesh that often limit women’s advancement into high-level decision-making roles.
Is there evidence of sexual harassment complaints in the reporting?
Interestingly, despite an increasing number of banks adopting sexual harassment policies, there have been no formal complaints reported by employees, raising questions about the efficacy of these policies and cultural attitudes toward disclosure.
- Quote paper
- Musammet Ismat Ara Begum (Author), 2015, Corporate Social Responsibility and Gender Commitments. A Case Study of Commercial Banks in Bangladesh, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/341411
