Gendered pathways to job promotion and emotional exhaustion in small and medium-sized organizations: what is the role of performance management practices?

Purpose Addressing gender disparities in career advancement and emotional well-being has become increasingly crucial, given the importance of gender equality as a key pillar of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gender equality fosters social justice, well-being, economic growth and sustainability. Ensuring this equality at work is essential for achieving these broader objectives and creating more inclusive workplaces. In this context, human resource management functions, such as performance management, can play a pivotal role. This study aims to examine the gendered pathways to job promotion and emotional exhaustion through performance management (PM) practices, specifically in small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs). Design/methodology/approach This study uses a cross-sectional quantitative design, based on data collected from 264 employees working in 18SMOs in Quebec (Canada). Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata and Mplus. Hypotheses were tested using path analysis. Findings The results showed that in SMOs, being a woman is associated with a positive perception of performance management and a greater possibility of job promotion through the positive effect on performance management. Also, being a woman is associated with a lower level of emotional exhaustion through its positive/beneficial effects on performance management and promotion opportunities. Practical implications This study provides insights and recommendations for managers and Human resource management practitioners in SMOs. It highlights the importance of understanding the gendered pathways to job promotion and emotional exhaustion through the lens of performance management practices, which is essential for developing strategies that support women’s career progression and well-being, ensuring gender equality. Originality/value Studies examining gendered pathways to job promotion and emotional exhaustion through performance management are sparse. This study not only fills a significant research gap but also offers insights for future research on this topic. Addressing both job promotion and emotional exhaustion is crucial for ensuring gender equality at work, particularly in SMOs. By exploring these issues, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how performance management practices can be leveraged to promote a more equitable, inclusive and supportive work environment for women.