Gender Integration in Business Strategy

Gender considerations were deeply intertwined with business strategies in companies like Avon. The choice to use women as salespeople was influenced by the gender politics of the time and the expectations around women's roles in society. Avon's decision to hire women was not only due to selling women's products but also to align with gender conventions of that era. Women were preferred salespersons for cosmetics as they were seen as more suitable for selling products in women's homes. Additionally, companies like Avon anticipated paying women less as it was common for women to have limited career opportunities outside their homes. This created a cycle where women were undervalued due to societal norms, which, in turn, restricted their mobility and career options.