A measuring tool to quantify the level of gender inclusion in a construction organization

Enhancing gender inclusion is crucial in the construction organization. Recently, few studies have identified attributes enhancing gender inclusion in construction. These attributes guide the top management and policymakers in formulating policies and strategies to foster gender inclusion in the construction organization. However, how one can measure the improvement in gender inclusion by deploying the formulated policies and strategies in the organization is still an unanswered question. Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework for construction organizations to measure their level of gender inclusion. Initially, 51 measurable elements were identified and then reduced to 28 by brainstorming with the Indian construction professionals who acted as experts for this study. Subsequently, a hierarchical relationship between identified elements and consolidated attributes from previous studies was established. After that, an analytical network process (ANP) identified a sequence of measurable elements and their weights. Superdecision and geometric aggregation techniques were used to calculate the experts' global aggregated weights. Subsequently, with the help of the domain experts, a measuring survey instrument for each of the 28 elements was developed. Among 28 elements, stimulative policies, mentorship programs, and the gender pay gap were the highest, with weights of 11.5%, 9.40%, and 9.30%, respectively. The top 20 elements lay between the 1% and 10% range, and the remaining eight were below 1%. The results of this study provide a tool to quantify the gender inclusion elements and will help construction organizations measure and gauge the improvement in gender inclusion.