Inspired by likes of Nobel Laureates Marie Curie and Tu Youyou, NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and business leader Sheryl Sandberg, the number of female role models who have made significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is on the rise. Yet, the female workforce and female leaders are still underrepresented in these areas, and as digital technologies develop, the digital gender divide and online abuse have given rise to growing inequalities.

As we reflect on International Women’s Day 2023’s theme of #DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, three female CEIBS faculty share their insights on women empowerment in the digital era, challenges women face in the workplace, and what can be done to bridge the gender gap through education.

Bai Guo

Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, CEIBS

“I think we need to pay attention to the possibility that with the widespread use of digital technologies, it can be even more difficult for women to achieve work-life balance, as they can be reached at any moment by digital tools.”

How has technology and the digital transformation affected women?

Technology and digital transformation affect both men and women. However, some existing problems or biases that are more salient for women compared to men might be accentuated or alleviated due to the application of digital technologies. For instance, women tend to suffer from moral judgements or sexual harassment. Such phenomena have existed for a long time, but the internet might inflate the negative impacts. For instance, a Chinese actress recently received widespread online criticism just because she wore a low-cut dress. On the positive side, girls could benefit from the availability of online education.

What are some of the issues women face in work and life when it comes to technology?

First of all, I fully believe women can be as tech-savvy as men. However, there still exists some discrimination towards women when it comes to tech-heavy jobs. More generally, I think we need to pay attention to the possibility that with the widespread use of digital technologies, it can be even more difficult for women to achieve work-life balance, as they can be reached at any moment by digital tools. Although both men and women face the problem of work-life balance, women tend to suffer more from it. This challenge affects every woman.

How can technology be used to promote gender equality in the digital age? And, what can business schools do?

Technology allows more women to get access to education and provides more flexible work possibilities, which can be especially helpful to women who need to take care of their families and make a living at the same time. Business education can help to enhance awareness amongst business leaders about the challenges and the possibilities to help.

Yang Wei

Assistant Professor of Management, CEIBS

“If not used properly, technology will hinder our progress on general equality because machines are programmed by humans and rely on what people feed them. If we input biased or unethical information, it will backfire.”

How has technology impacted the gender gap in work and education?

I think it is not technology per se – technology is neutral – but the digital transformation is a double-edged sword for women. On one hand, technology can help close the gender gap as the core competitive advantage between men and women shifts from physical strength to intellectual capabilities, allowing women to catch up with men in this sense. On the other hand, however, it is more difficult for women to maintain a balance between work and life, as society imposes a lot of additional requirements for women as caretakers in the family. Therefore, when it comes to fundamentally resolving this issue, I don’t think it’s about technology – it’s about how society perceives gender roles and a fairer division of labour.

What are some of the risks involved when it comes to technology and gender?

It depends on how we use it. If not used properly, technology will hinder our progress on general equality because machines are programmed by humans and rely on what people feed them. If we input biased or unethical information, it will backfire.

When it comes to technology, what can business schools do to promote gender equality?

We shouldn’t feed stereotypes about what girls should be into early education, because girls and boys are equally competent when it comes to science and technology, and they should be encouraged equally. At CEIBS, we have the MBA Women Leadership and Networking Club where we have a lot of discussions about technology entrepreneurship. Given technology itself is neutral, we should focus more on innovation, highly competent people and adaptation to cutting-edge technologies, rather than on highlighting the gender differences in the technology world. This will help to mitigate the gender gap.

Zhang Lingling

Assistant Professor of Marketing, CEIBS

“It is hard for technology to replicate human emotions or feelings. Jobs that require a personal touch or personal interactions – such as service and healthcare – will become more important in the future.”

How has technology altered the job market for women?

New technology is both empowering and disruptive in today’s workplace. Many positions that are traditionally assumed by women – such as office managers, business research analysts, copywriters, and even web designers – may disappear in the near future. New jobs will be created, but they will likely be rooted in an understanding of large-scale AI technology. Management jobs will increasingly prefer candidates with a background in technology. The difference in pay will also widen between technology jobs and non-technology jobs, so women need to acquire the necessary skills in order to remain competitive in the job market.

What challenges does technology poses for women in the workplace?

Technology has two unique characteristics: First, it has a steep learning curve, and, second, it has a fast updating cycle. The steep learning curve can discourage women who are not passionate about technology to begin with. The fast-updating speed means that women need to constantly be in learning mode, so that they can keep up with technological developments and innovations. If a woman takes a break for family duties, she might find it hard to re-enter the fast-paced tech world. Even if she can fight her way back, it could still be difficult to compete with young male co-workers who can devote all of their time to honing their technological skillsets.

What opportunities can technology create for women?

I think digital technologies create unique opportunities for women to leverage their strengths. Technology has replaced human tasks such as physical labour and number crunching. New innovations like ChatGPT will also replace some jobs that require content or art creation. However, it is hard for technology to replicate human emotions or feelings. Jobs that require a personal touch or personal interactions – such as service and healthcare – will become more important in the future. I predict that technology will allow women to play a major role in the “feeling economy” (a term coined by Professor Roland Rust from the University of Maryland) to come.

How can business schools better prepare women for this new career landscape?

Many jobs have been replaced and reshaped by technological innovations, but more will be created. It is essential that business schools encourage women to embrace technology. More importantly, we should encourage female entrepreneurs to be forward-looking and proactive in exploring opportunities in these new business territories.