Redrawing the "Lack of Fit" Model: Culture's Influence on Gendered Job Ads Across Positions

This study examines the role of the recruitment process in perpetuating gender disparities, focusing on how societal culture influences the manifestations of "lack of fit" model in job descriptions. Traditional research in this area, predominantly based in Western contexts, often fails to consider cultural variations, potentially leading to ineffective inclusive strategies in organizations. To address this gap, we analyzed 76,306 job descriptions from 65 countries across five occupational levels (entry, associate, mid-senior, director, and executive) posted on LinkedIn. Our analysis reveals a negative association between occupational status and communal vs. agentic wording in job ads, and societal individualism negatively moderated this association. Specifically, at higher occupational levels (executive/director), societal individualism negatively predicted the usage of communal terms, while at lower levels (entry to mid-senior), the association was positive. These findings emphasize the intricate role of cultural values in shaping gender inequalities in the labor market, underscoring the necessity of integrating cultural nuances in gender equality strategies within organizational settings. We call for the imperative of culturally sensitive approaches in organizational practices to effectively address gender disparities.