All said and done? The understanding of doing gender and its discontents

‘Doing gender' is a popular concept when studying gender, work and organisations and many studies in the field have used this concept. However what is actually meant by ‘doing gender' in different contexts is often quiet diverse. In this article the understanding of ‘doing gender' in empirical research on gender, work and organisations is critically interrogated. The article starts with a brief discussion of the major theories of gender as a doing used in gender theories before presenting how these theories have been conceptualised and operationalised in empirical work in the area of gender, work and organisation. The analysis is based around a topology of five themes which are central in this area: structures, hierarchies, identity, fluidity, and gradual relevance/paradoxes. The article discusses implications and problems inherent in the understanding of ‘doing gender' through which these concepts could be developed further. Such a further development could enrich and specify ‘doing gender' concept and the article ends by suggesting how such an enrichment and specification may take place. The article thus adds critical reflection to the field of ‘doing gender' in a work context