The worth of a talent? Pay inequality in universities

M. van Engen, B. Kroon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

Abstract

Little research is devoted to how salary allocation processes interfere with gender inequality in talent development in universities. Administrative data from a university indicated a substantial salary gap between men and women academics, which partially could be explained by the unequal distribution of men and women in the academic job levels after acquiring a PhD, from lecturer to full professor, with men being overrepresented in the higher job levels, as well as in the more senior positions within each job level. We demonstrated how a lack of transparency, consistency and accountability can disqualify apparent fair, merit-based salary decisions and result in biased gender differences in job and salary levels. This chapter reflects on how salary decisions matter for the recognition of talent and should be an integral part of talent management.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTalent management in higher edication
EditorsMarian Thunissen, Paul Boselie
Place of PublicationLeeds
PublisherEmerald
Chapter8
Pages137-159
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-80262-685-8
ISBN (Print)978-1-80262-688-9
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Gender pay gap
  • gender (in)equality in academia
  • pay allocation biases
  • transparency and accountability in decision-making policies and processes
  • performance criteria
  • case study

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