Gendered leadership in the Gulf: cultural norms, leadership styles and the limits of representation

Purpose This study aims to examine how gendered norms and institutional contexts shape leadership in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) public and nonprofit sectors. It explores gender differences in leadership styles, the mediating role of organizational culture and how male leaders adapt to feminized expectations in nonprofit settings. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, interpretive approach was adopted, grounded in feminist theory, organizational sociology and leadership scholarship.