Executive Search or Exclusive Search? - In between Practical - and Discursive Consciousness

Abstract

The background of this paper is a set of recommendations for recruitment developed during the project “Women to the top” (W2T) (2003-2005) funded by the European Union (EU), aimed at including more women in the processes of recruitment to top positions. Drawing upon this, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how gender-related barriers that may hinder female candidates to reach top positions are unfolded in the executive search process. Research has shown that search consultants in executive search firms in general are aware that there is an exclusion of women in their processes. However, a high level of consciousness does not necessarily mean that it is translated into the practices. In this paper, this is studied in relation to executive search practices by revealing gaps between practical- and discursive consciousness. Distinguishing between the two levels of consciousness has been argued to open up for critical learning opportunities.