Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Halmos College of Arts and Sciences - Department of Conflict Resolution Studies

First Advisor

Elena Bastidas

Second Advisor

Neil Katz

Third Advisor

Urszula Strawinska-Zanko

Keywords

agency, Bollywood, Burton’s conflict resolution through self-realization, film analysis, gender equality, gender inequalities, gender workplace conflict, gender workplace conflicts, global ecosystems, Goswami’s self-realized creativity, Hollywood, human needs, identity, Kaufman’s self-transcendence model, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, media theoretical analysis, multidimensional conflict, occupational segregation, organizational change, qualitative research, respect, semi-structured interviews, self-actualization, self-transcendence, social theory, systems theory, workplace conflict, transcendence, workplace satisfaction

Abstract

Gender inequalities in the workplace persist despite improvements in social relations, legislation,and legal protection. A major factor is occupational segregation that results in gender workplace conflicts. Regardless of gender, every employee strives toward achieving the highest levels of satisfaction; however, this pursuit is riddled with factors that create a self-reinforcing cycle of inequality between the genders. This study examined the management of multidimensional gender workplace conflict. Three theories were implemented, including Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory and its three elements: Burton’s conflict resolution through self-realization, Goswami’s self-realized creativity, and Kaufman’s self-transcendence model, along with Social theory and Systems theory. The study used a dual multidimensional approach involving film analysis and semi-structured interviews. The first methodological element involved reviewing films through media theoretical analysis based on the concept that art imitates life. The second element involved gathering data through semi-structured interviews with professionals in six workplace industries, based on the concept that life also imitates art. The study sought to answer two research questions: how gender workplace conflict is portrayed in leading global ecosystems, Bollywood and Hollywood films, and how gender workplace conflicts are experienced in real life across various sectors. Results were compared and triangulated to reach unified conclusions. Findings revealed that gender conflicts are struggles for respect, agency, and identity linked to Maslow’s self-actualization and self-transcendence needs. Adopting holistic, systemic changes that address self-worth, equality, and respect is key to resolving gender workplace conflicts. By synthesizing film representations and real-life experiences, this study advances the understanding of gender workplace conflict.

Download
To access this thesis/dissertation you must have a valid nova.edu OR mynsu.nova.edu email address and create an account for NSUWorks.

Free My Thesis

If you are the author of this work and would like to grant permission to make it openly accessible to all, please click the Free My Thesis button.

  Contact Author

Share

COinS