Hierarchies. The Max Planck Society in Gender Trouble

Contrary to common belief, organizational structure is never gender neutral; it is just that since »men in organizations take their behavior and perspectives to represent the human, organizational structures and processes are theorized as gender neutral.« (Joan Acker 1990). The Max Planck Society is a gendered organization whose employment structure in the twentieth century (1948–1998) featured a clear gender segregation. This is exemplary (and impressively) illuminated by two areas: the one where only very few women were admitted in leading positions: science; and the one where most of them worked most of the time: the office.

See Dr. Kolboske's recent book and associated media coverage:

Birgit Kolboske, Hierarchien. Das Unbehagen der Geschlechter mit dem Harnack-Prinzip. Frauen in der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2022

Umstrittener Geniekult bei Max-Planck »Frauen hatten wenige Chancen« Interview im Tagesspiegel

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