PhD Defence: Ece Gürsoy

In order to obtain the PhD degree, Ece Gürsoy has submitted her thesis entitled:

Tales of DEI An ethnographic study of gender diversity, equality, and inclusion in a gendered organization – Nordic Bank

This PhD dissertation is an organizational ethnographic study of gender-related diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in a (highly male-) gendered organization – a large bank in Northern Europe, “Nordic Bank.” Drawing on Joan Acker’s theory of gendered organizations and her framework of gendering processes – specifically organizing processes, organization culture, and interactions on the job – the study explores how these processes, as organizational issues, have influenced the bank’s ability to deliver on its gender-related DEI objectives. The empirical foundation for this study is qualitative data from a 26-month-long fieldwork conducted in Nordic Bank across four Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. It contributes conceptually by introducing DEI governance structures as part of gendered organizing processes and by integrating gender microaggressions into the analysis of day-to-day, inter-individual problematic interactions with the concern for gendered organizations. Empirically, it extends the gender in organization studies and DEI literature beyond the Anglo-Saxon contexts, offering practical insights for more culturally legitimate and structurally integrated DEI efforts in organizations.

The thesis will be available from research.cbs.dk

Primary Supervisor:

Associate Professor Florence Villeseche
Department of Business Humanities and Law
Copenhagen Business School 

Secondary Supervisors: 

Associate Professor Daniel Souleles
Department of Business Humanities and Law
Copenhagen Business School

Assessment Committee:

Associate Professor Ana Maria Munar (Chair)
Department of Business Humanities and Law
Copenhagen Business School

Professor Mustafa Ozbilgin
Brunel Business School
Brunel University

Associate Professor Mie Plotnikof
Danish School of Education
Aarhus University

Date: 11 June 2025
Time: 13:00-15:00
Online: TEAMS

*Please note that the microphone and camera of all spectators must be turned off.

Location: Porcelænshaven
Room: PHRs20 (Entrance 22)
Reception: Lobby outside PHRs20

*The CBS PhD School will host a reception, which will take place immediately after the defence.