Visual research as a method of inquiry for gender and organizations

Visuality and gender are inextricably linked. Ever since feminist theorists problematized 'the male gaze' (Mulvey, 1975), we have understood that the visual is inherently political: what do we see or not see? and, who sees what, in whom, and how? The purpose of this chapter is twofold: (1) to explain the importance of incorporating the visual in our research, thereby shedding light on the aforementioned questions; (2) to present the richness of visual research methods now employed, especially as these are used (or could potentially be used) in the study of gender, organizations and management. Specific examples are discussed, both in regard to the use of existing visual data to study gender and management (e.g. photographs, images, film, architecture) but also how visual data can be generated for the study of gender and management (e.g. visual ethnography, photography, drawing methods). This chapter highlights then, not only a variety of visual methodologies and methods, but also emphasizes how such methods can lead to a deeper understanding of gender and gendering in organizations.