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Transgender Individuals in Asian Islamic Countries: An Overview of Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Issues in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia

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Sexual Orientation and Transgender Issues in Organizations

Abstract

Workplaces are an important dimension of social life and for helping individuals to satisfy their intrinsic needs for acceptance and belonging. In a society where gender roles are already askew, transgender individuals face particular challenges. Such challenges have been underemphasized in the diversity management literature. In this chapter we discuss empirical evidence of transgender issues and how they are perceived in Asian countries, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. In addition, we outline the specific challenges faced by transgender individuals in the context of constitutional precincts, religious perceptions, and socio-economic circumstances. We argue and find that regulators, social actors and institutions in Asian Islamic countries de-emphasize the gender criteria when hiring, as well as in commonplace operations, to enrich the institutional human capital and, ultimately, work performance. We develop a future research agenda for informing individuals, organizational leaders, and policy makers concerning transgender issues.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Voice Bangladesh is a Bangladesh-based activist, rights based research and advocacy organization working on issues of corporate globalization.

  2. 2.

    Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Abdullah Al Mamun & Mariano L. M. Heyden

  2. University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia

    Qaiser Rafique Yasser

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  1. Abdullah Al Mamun
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  2. Mariano L. M. Heyden
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  3. Qaiser Rafique Yasser
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Correspondence to Mariano L. M. Heyden .

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  1. Dept of Mgmt, Vienna Univ of Economics & Business, Vienna, Austria

    Thomas Köllen

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Mamun, A.A., Heyden, M.L.M., Yasser, Q.R. (2016). Transgender Individuals in Asian Islamic Countries: An Overview of Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Issues in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. In: Köllen, T. (eds) Sexual Orientation and Transgender Issues in Organizations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29623-4_10

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