The role of organizational and individual-level factors for the inclusion of women managers in Japan

Purpose This study aims to analyze and contrast the role of organizational and individual level factors in influencing the effective participation of women managers in decision-making in Japanese business organizations. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative study based on 21 in-depth interviews with women and men in managerial positions in Japanese organizations is adopted. Findings Results show that gender equality structures and practices are not effectively institutionalized within Japanese organizations. In particular, corporate social responsibility programs are perceived by women respondents to be formally adopted to gain legitimacy in the eyes of foreign investors. However, they lack effectiveness in giving the woman manager a “voice” in business decisions. Organizational practices such as leadership development and mentoring are generally not evident in the organizations analyzed. Conversely, the personal traits of the woman manager, such as determination, self-confidence and “being able to confront men colleagues” are the factors perceived to be crucial in influencing women’s participation in decisions. Social implications The study suggests that to increase the weight of women managers in Japanese organizations’ decision-making, action is still needed within organizations to create a true diversity-culture. Additionally, action at the educational level has to remove women’s own self-segregation. Originality/value The study offers novel evidence on the “glass ceiling” in Japanese businesses by investigating whether women’s access to management positions corresponds to effective decision power. The study also highlights the key enabling factors, therefore contributing to the analysis of how to create more effective gender “diversity” within Japanese businesses.

ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Globally, in the last four decades, the number of women in the job market has increased significantly. More women are entering into positions of managers and leaders. However, despite the laws in many countries aimed on advancing women to the top positions of the companies, the "glass ceiling" phenomenon still continues. Research in the direction of women in leadership positions shows a series of challenges that women face during the process of advancing into higher positions. Research on the attitudes towards a woman as manager shows that male subordinates have negative attitudes and stereotypes towards a woman leader and that successful leaders and managers are still imagined as men. Stereotypes are even more pronounced in patriarchal and traditional societies. As a result, because of these attitudes and prejudices women face obstacles in dealing with their male counterparts, which contributes to being perceived as being less effective in the role of a leader. The aim of this research is to see the differences between men and women in the Republic of Macedonia in attitudes toward a woman manager. The results taken from ae survey showed that there are differences in attitudes towards a woman manager between men and women, where women are somewhat positive, while men are neutral. What is worth noting is that the attitude of the women themselves towards the manager is not completely positive.

Women managing women: An holistic relational approach to managing relationships at work

With women representing nearly half of the workforce in Western countries, it is likely that a woman will have a woman manager and/or employees at some point during her working life. In our research, we worked collaboratively with 13 New Zealand women to develop personal and organisational responses when hierarchical relationships between women become strained. We identified four interlinked strategies at the personal and organisational level: developing awareness of the existence and nature of the conflict, enhancing personal and relational skills such as confidence and communication, building support networks within and outside the organisation, and finding acceptance when change is needed. Taking a gendered relational perspective, we propose that responses to a strained relationship need to be considered within the broader personal, organisational, societal and temporal context within which the relationship is situated. Therefore, we propose a more holistic relational and context-focussed framework to create an environment more conducive to understanding and positive change.

The relational expectations of women managing women

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the expectations women have of their women managers and/or women employees and to suggest personal and organizational strategies to strengthen those relationships. Design/methodology/approach Building on a first phase of research using narrative inquiry into the lived experiences of women managing and/or being managed by women, workshops were held with 13 participants to explore their relationship expectations of women managers and/or employees. Findings While the participants initially believed they expected the same things of a manager or employee irrespective of gender, a closer examination revealed gender-based expectations. Women expect a higher degree of emotional understanding and support from a woman manager, than they would from a man. They also expect a woman manager to see them as an equal, take a holistic view of them as people, understand the complexities of their lives and provide flexibility to accommodate those complexities. Research limitations/implications This is an exploratory study in an under-researched area. Extensive further research is warranted. Practical implications Understanding the expectations women have of their women managers enables the development of both personal and organizational strategies aimed at strengthening those relationships. Originality/value These findings begin a dialogue on the often-unspoken and unrecognized gender-based expectations women have of their relationships with women managers and/or women employees. Although considerable research exists on gender stereotypes in the workplace, little research exists on these gender-based relational expectations.