Gender equality in Korean firms: recent evidence from HR practitioners

Abstract

Using surveys of human resource (HR) practitioners in Korean organizations, this paper seeks to determine why, given mass education and recent gender policy legislation, discrimination continues in South Korea by exploring the underutilization of women within Korean firms in respect to their organizational characteristics and HR practices in relationship to the recruitment, organization of work, and fair treatment in the workplace. Findings from HR practitioners identified likely causes for the gender workforce abnormalities, regardless of industry or firm size, as a function of cultural effects, since foreign-owned firms practice more egalitarian HR practices. These sociocultural norms and HR practices may have a negative economic effect on firms. It will take time for the Korean workplace to treat everyone as equals.