Exploring Barriers Faced by Women Leaders in Accessing and Holding Leadership Positions in Public Universities in an Emerging Country

2022 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Abigail Hunt ◽  
Haslinda Hashim ◽  
CHOO W.E.I. CHONG ◽  
Amer Hamzah ◽  
Md Asadul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Emerging Country

Successful Women Leaders

2021 ◽  
pp. 620-639
Author(s):  
Freda R. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Transformational Learning ◽  
Work Teams ◽  
Institutional Culture ◽  
Peer Networks ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Personal Mastery ◽  
Successful Women ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Institutional Challenges

This chapter examines research from the lens of women who are in mid-level and senior-level positions in their organizations. Using Mezirow's framework for transformational learning, these inspiring women leaders shared perceptions of organizational practices, work-family interface, institutional culture, issues of equity and diversity, institutional challenges, and personal mastery; they also defined their actions that contributed to their successes as well as the successes of the organizations they identified with. Additionally, within this chapter, the author compares and contrasts the barriers that limit women's ability to aspire to top leadership positions and examine the roles of their primary and secondary supports (i.e., sponsors, family, mentors, work teams, and peer networks).

scholarly journals Gender Segregation and Trajectories of Organizational Change: The Underrepresentation of Women in Sports Leadership

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine Pape
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Gender Equity ◽  
Gender Segregation ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
Sports Organizations ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
Integrated Leadership ◽  
Gender Similarity

This article offers an account of organizational change to explain why women leaders are underrepresented compared to women athletes in many sports organizations. I distinguish between accommodation and transformation as forms of change: the former includes women without challenging binary constructions of gender, the latter transforms an organization’s gendered logic. Through a case study of the International Olympic Committee from 1967-1995, I trace how the organization came to define gender equity primarily in terms of accommodating women’s segregated athletic participation. Key to this was the construction of women’s bodies as athletically able but inferior to men, an arrangement formalized in codified rules and procedures and legitimized by external stakeholders. Defined in these terms, gender equity did little to transform the organization’s binary and hierarchically gendered logic, which continued to shape the informal norms and procedures associated with the organization’s allegedly gender-neutral and meritocratic yet male-dominated leadership. I argue that the exclusion of women from ostensibly gender-integrated leadership positions allows organizations to avoid revealing gender similarity between men and women. This maintains a logic underpinned by notions of binary gender difference and masculine superiority.

A case study of the experiences of women leaders in senior leadership positions in the education district offices

2020 ◽  
pp. 174114322094032
Author(s):  
Kishan N Bodalina ◽  
Raj Mestry
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Senior Leadership ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Feminist Theories ◽  
Experiences Of Women ◽  
District Offices

This research was inspired by two critical factors relating to women leaders in senior positions in education district offices. Firstly, women leaders are continually plagued with stereotyping, and secondly, women are repeatedly undermined by male colleagues. Although the South African Constitution and other related legislation prohibits any form of gender discrimination, inequalities and injustices against women still prevail. Women are subjected to a false notion that they lack the resilience and experience desired when faced with hard-hitting or threatening situations. The primary focus of this study was to explore the experiences of women leaders in senior positions in the Gauteng East Education District office. To underpin this study, intersectionality and feminist theories were selected. Using a qualitative case study, one of the main findings of this study revealed that women in senior leadership positions in education districts persistently struggled to balance their work and family life amidst rooted patriarchal systems and cultural traditions. These women primarily lacked the aspiration to apply for senior leadership positions, but through formal mentorship, dedication and resilience took up senior leadership positions in education district offices.

Women Leaders’ Resilience: How Women Reach and Succeed in Leadership Positions

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (1) ◽  
pp. 17434
Author(s):  
Stephanie Duchek ◽  
Charlotte Foerster ◽  
Ianina Scheuch
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions

scholarly journals Exploring the Opportunities and Challenges of Female Health Leaders in Three Regional States of Ethiopia: A Phenomenological Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sualiha Abdulkader Muktar ◽  
Binyam Fekadu Desta ◽  
Heran Demissie ◽  
Wubishet Kebede Heyi ◽  
Elias Mamo Gurmamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Career Development ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Organizational Support ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Societal Norms

Abstract Background: Gender equity involves fairness in all aspects of life for women and men and is usually determined by social, political, economic, and cultural contexts. The proportion of female leaders in healthcare within the health sector is low. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences, opportunities, and challenges faced by women in their path towards becoming leaders within the health sector.Methods: This study was conducted using the phenomenological method of qualitative inquiry. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify six women leaders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through telephone by the investigators. The qualitative data analysis was conducted parallel with data collection using steps of thematic analysis.Results: This study identified individual, societal, and organizational level opportunities and challenges that had an influence on the career paths of female health leaders in Ethiopia. The leadership positions were an opportunity in the career development of women who had long-term goals, were known for their empathy, and exercised wise use of resources. In addition, women who had the support of close family members and their peers are more likely to compete and rise to leadership positions. Furthermore, women who received organizational support in the form of affirmative action, training, development, and recognition also tended to rise to leadership positions. However, women who assumed leadership positions but whose day-to-day decision-making was influenced by their supervisors, those who had experienced sexual harassment, and those under the influence of societal norms were less likely to attain leadership positions.Conclusion: This study explored the opportunities and challenges of women leaders in the health sector in a low-income country. The findings highlight individual, social, organizational, and societal factors influencing the career development of women leaders. Therefore, enhancing the leadership capacity of women, and improving social and organizational support is recommended. In addition, addressing the low level of self-image among women and patriarchal societal norms at the community level is recommended.

scholarly journals CAPACITY BUILDING OF WOMEN LEADERS VIA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Dzintra Ilisko ◽  
Karīna Juhneviča ◽  
Jelena Badjanova
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
Women's Leadership ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Assertiveness Training ◽  
Cultural Roots ◽  
Private Organizations ◽  
Study Programs ◽  
Set Up

Despite of women advancement in politics, business, and other spheres of life, women are largely absent from senior position and are marginalized in terms of power and resources. In Latvia women set up and lead vibrant and successful governmental and private organizations. The purpose of the article is to explore cultural roots of gendered inequality in leadership and economic power positions by the literature review and as reviled in interviews.  Interview data reveal the obstacles women need to overcome in their career advancement and their stories of success. Methodology: The study presents a qualitative study on women’s leadership as defined in legislation and recent research and is supported by the qualitative inquiry of life stories of seven women engaged in the education’s management programs. These women undertake leadership positions in their organizations. Conclusions: To conclude, the goal of equal participation for both male and female players in all significant spheres of life as declared in the international legislation and the United Nations, declarations will strengthen democracy and will promote its proper functioning. The authors assert that higher education through management study programs can also build women’s capacity for leadership by assertiveness training and encouraging independent and critical thinkers.

Malay Women Leaders in Malaysia: The Unthinkable?

Hawwa ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Norshahril Saat
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Political Leadership ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Islamic History ◽  
Women's Role ◽  
Alternative Discourses

AbstractThis article examines the position of the Malay religious elite towards the idea of women as leaders. Based on an analysis of the writings and sermons of a sample of the religious elite, the article concludes that they continue to be of the view that gender roles in modern society are ‘fixed’, ‘divine’, and ‘unquestionable’. By exploring Mohammed Arkoun’s concept of the ‘unthinkable’, I argue that the notion that women are unfit for top political leadership positions, by virtue of their gender, results from a parochial attitude towards traditions relating to women’s role in society and from a general failure to re-evaluate traditions in the light of the modern-day context. By traditions here, I refer not only to the hadiths (recorded sayings of the Prophet Mohammad), but also compilations of Qurʾanic exegesis (tafsīr) and juristic opinions (fatāwā, s. fatwa) passed down from one generation to another in the last 1,400 years of Islamic history. The article also explores how the religious elite’s views of gender equality might be reformed—it suggests that they need to be challenged with alternative discourses in order to transform their attitude towards religious sources from one that is unquestioning to one that is more questioning.

Ladies Leading Ladies Who Lead Ladies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ashley Gambino ◽  
Rachel Flemming
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Personal Perspective ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Global Crisis ◽  
Extant Literature

During the COVID-19 pandemic, women in academic leadership positions were faced with an unprecedented career challenge. While data previously existed to show that female leaders face an uphill battle in obtaining promotions, tenure, and leaderships positions within academia, the COVID-19 crisis that ensued within higher education created an unstable work-life balance, inequitable work expectations, and a need for increased psychosocial support for these already disadvantaged leaders. This chapter will explore the power and challenge of women mentoring other women in the midst of a global crisis. Using a personal perspective from a mentor and mentee, the authors will comment on current and extant literature on the challenges facing women leaders in academia.

Norwegian and French Women in high Leadership Positions

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Apfelbaum
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
Cultural Perspective ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Gender Consciousness ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Different Cultures

This analysis of 50 French and Norwegian women in high positions of leadership stresses how gendered relations structuring private and professional lives will vary in different cultures according to their socio-historical contexts. The specific contexts of two Western European democracies, France and Norway, reveal a number of differences impacting on the careers and the construction of the personal and social identities of women leaders. Interviews were held with French women who (a) assumed pioneering leadership positions in the 1970s ( n = 10) and (b) who followed in the 1980s ( n = 20) and with Norwegian women leaders ( n = 20). Sixty percent of the total sample had held posts as cabinet or subcabinet ministers. Illustrations from their narratives, collected through semistructured interviews about their personal and professional itineraries, are used to discuss a number of questions from a comparative cultural perspective: the sense of double marginality, extraneity, lack of entitlement and vulnerability; role-model legitimation; feminism and the women's movement; political parity/mixity; gender consciousness and solidarity; and family and female—male interactions.

scholarly journals The Business Case for Women Leaders: Meta-Analysis, Research Critique, and Path Forward

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 2473-2499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny M. Hoobler ◽  
Courtney R. Masterson ◽  
Stella M. Nkomo ◽  
Eric J. Michel
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Top Management Teams ◽  
Women's Leadership ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Women's Representation ◽  
Women’S Representation

Since the 1990s, a growing body of research has sought to quantify the relationship between women’s representation in leadership positions and organizational financial performance. Commonly known as the “business case” for women’s leadership, the idea is that having more women leaders is good for business. Through meta-analysis ( k = 78, n = 117,639 organizations) of the direct effects of women’s representation in leadership (as CEOs, on top management teams, and on boards of directors) on financial performance, and tests that proxy theoretical arguments for moderated relationships, we call attention to equivocal findings. Our results suggest women’s leadership may affect firm performance in general and sales performance in particular. And women’s leadership—overall and, specifically, the presence of a female CEO—is more likely to positively relate to firms’ financial performance in more gender egalitarian cultures. Yet taking our findings as a whole, we argue that commonly used methods of testing the business case for women leaders may limit our ability as scholars to understand the value that women bring to leadership positions. We do not advocate that the business case be abandoned altogether but, rather, improved and refined. We name exemplary research studies to show how different perspectives on gender, alternative conceptualizations of value, and the specification of underlying mechanisms linking leadership to performance can generate changes in both the dominant ontology and the epistemology underlying this body of research.

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