Can Women Thrive in a Predominantly Male Environment? Examining the Perception of Women in I-deal Negotiation

Abstract

Idiosyncratic deals (i-deals) are nonstandardized work arrangements that help employees balance their work and nonwork demands. Previous literature has paid increased attention to the concept of i-deals, yet there is a lack of clarity regarding the perception of i-deals among Indian women employees. India’s social context is patrifocal, where women face multiple work challenges. Women are more drawn toward nontraditional forms of employment because they prioritize balancing work and personal life. Therefore, the study investigates how i-deals mitigate challenges faced by women in their workplace using an exploratory research design. Data were collected by interviewing 20 women employees in the IT sector in India who had successfully negotiated i-deals. A content-coding method was used to analyze the interview transcripts, and the study findings show that reduced turnover intention, hedonic well-being, and career advancement are the critical outcomes of negotiating i-deals. We also discuss the theoretical and managerial implications.