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Cited by 8Gender Diversity and InequalityEmployment, Labor, and Gender StudiesHuman Resource and Talent Management

Measuring the gender pay gap: The complexity of HR metrics

Open access
Coron, Clotilde·2021·Employee Relations: The International Journal
DOI 10.1108/er-07-2020-0316
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Abstract

Purpose: The literature on HR metrics does not address the political issues that surround the definition and interpretation of these metrics. However, the need for agreement about HR metrics between different stakeholders is underlined by the framework of the sociology of quantification. This research aims to complement the literature on HR metrics by studying the process of defining and interpreting appropriate HR metrics, focusing on the example of the gender pay gap. Design/methodology/approach: A case study with interviews and participant observation is conducted on a French company. Findings: The results show that HR metrics are essential to prove the existence of inequalities. However, there are disagreements between management, unions and gender equality referents concerning appropriate HR metrics and their use. Originality/value: Contrary to the literature on the subject, which remains predominantly positivist and normative, this article sheds light on the political issues surrounding the definition and use of HR metrics and shows the importance of involving a range of actors (managers, unions and employees) in the entire process.

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Authors
Coron, C.
Affiliations
IAE Paris - Sorbonne Business School (FR)
Corresponding author
Coron, Clotilde
ORCID
Coron, Clotilde
Venue
Employee Relations: The International Journal
Publisher
Emerald
Published
2021-03-02
Volume
43
Issue
5
Pages
1194-1213
ISSN
0142-5455 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1108/er-07-2020-0316
OpenAlex
W3130227266
Cited by
8
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2023: 3
FWCI
1.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Employee Relations (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Diversity and Inequality
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Employment, Labor, and Gender Studies
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Human Resource and Talent Management
Keywords
gender pay gap, HR metrics, sociology of quantification, gender equality, inequality measurement, stakeholder disagreement, employee participation

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