The silent threat in the workplace: The invisible face of violence against women in strategic management

This study aims to examine the effects of workplace violence against women on the strategic management processes of businesses.Violence against women is not only an individual and societal problem but also a strategic risk factor affecting businesses' corporate reputation, human resources policies, ethical leadership approach, and sustainable performance.The research utilizes a multiple case study design from qualitative research methods.In this context, publicly available reports and scientific studies related to nine different corporate cases operating in Türkiye and internationally between 2015 and 2025 were examined through document analysis.The data obtained were evaluated using thematic analysis.The research findings show that workplace violence against women is associated with four key strategic outcomes for businesses.These outcomes manifest as loss of corporate reputation, weakening of employee engagement and human resources processes, ethical leadership and governance problems, and negative impacts on corporate performance and sustainability.Furthermore, it was determined that this situation is related to crisis management processes and has significant consequences for businesses' strategic risk management capacity.By addressing workplace violence against women from a strategic management perspective, the study contributes to the relevant literature and offers managerial implications for businesses.