Experiencing gender inequality in Iranian workplaces: an organizational sociology perspective using Grounded Theory approach

Although gender equality is widely recognized as a global norm, progress toward its realization remains uneven. Women often surpass men in educational attainment and participate actively in the labor market, yet they remain underrepresented in senior and decision-making roles. In Iran, this disparity is particularly pronounced, with the country ranking 145th out of 148 nations in the Global Gender Gap Index (2025). This study examines how gender inequality is formed, perceived, and sustained within organizational settings in contemporary Iran. Adopting a grounded theory approach, it combines inductive analysis with theoretically informed interpretation to explore the interaction between structural, organizational, and individual factors. Data were collected between 2024 and 2025 through qualitative questionnaires administered to 33 employees and managers across public and private sector organizations, selected through purposive sampling. The findings show that gender inequality operates as a dynamic and multi-level process shaped by legal frameworks, cultural norms, and organizational practices that constrain women’s career advancement. At the same time, individuals employ adaptive and resistant strategies to navigate these conditions. The study develops a paradigmatic model demonstrating how inequality is reproduced through the interplay of causal, contextual, and intervening conditions and their consequences, offering both theoretical insight and practical implications for promoting more equitable organizational environments.