Inclusion (mineral)

Neuroscience

Perception

Value (mathematics)

Mathematics

Statistics

Machine learning

Developmental psychology

Political science

Psychology

Normative social influence

Dentistry

Public relations

Computer science

Normative

Attrition

Organizational commitment

Organizational culture

Structural equation modeling

Medicine

Social psychology

Group Processes & Intergroup Relations

In male-dominated STEM fields, workplace culture is often cited as a factor for women’s attrition. In the present research, we used longitudinal field data to examine how changes in the perceived normative support for gender-inclusive policies and practices over 6 months relate to changes in women’s and men’s experiences of fit and commitment to their organization. Longitudinal analyses of survey data from a sample of 181 engineers revealed that increased perceptions of support for gender-inclusive policies and practices predicted increased organizational commitment only among women, an effect that was mediated by an increase in organizational value fit. Additional analyses suggest that perceptions of change in normative attitudes toward inclusive policies were more predictive of women’s organizational commitment than the awareness that the policies were in place or that one has personally benefitted from them. The implications of an inclusive workplace culture for supporting women’s retention in STEM are discussed.

Climate change: An increase in norms for inclusion predicts greater fit and commitment for women in STEM