Abstract:

Despite identified global advancements in business practices, undergraduate business management education seems to continually “contribute” to phenomena of labor market segregation and discriminatory practices based on gender and other intersecting factors. The data confirm that women encounter substantial barriers in their employment, especially in securing management leadership positions. On this basis, the European Commission underlines the necessity for enhancing the undergraduate business education in order to incorporate the principles of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Such an improved educational approach is seen as a crucial mean to address and alleviate prevalent gendered discriminatory practices that exist and persist in the labor market.

This paper presents the results of a comparison between, the European framework for key competences in personal, social, and learning to learn (LifeComp), the European entrepreneurship competence framework (EntreComp) and the digital competence framework for citizens (DigComp) in contrast to the competencies imparted through undergraduate business management Courses in Greece.

The presented results were based on data collected through a number of research tools including, desk research on the current labor market conditions and the undergraduate business management Courses offered in Greece and a qualitative analysis, which was conducted through focus group sessions and in-depth interviews with both management students and business professionals. The study took place by the Researchers of the DAISSy Research Group of Hellenic Open University in the framework of the “Equality, Diversity, Inclusion: For improving the qualitY of Management EDUcation, training and professions (EDIFY EDU)” European co-funded project. Its main aim has been to uncover the gaps in the business management education and the labor market regarding the EDI principles in today’s Greek context.

Overall, the paper offers perspectives on the societal implications of both established and evolving labor market regulations and policies at the greek national level by exploring the disparities between existing policies and their practical implementation. Additionally, it outlines a suggested set of competencies, aligned with the aforementioned European frameworks, which have been identified as essential for addressing the EDI challenges in the business management education and training, and at the workplace.

Keywords:

Equality, gender, education, labor market.