The leading factors contributing to the representation or underrepresentation of women in top managerial positions

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to identify which are the main factors which are leading to the underrepresentation of women in top managerial roles in organisations. Design/Methodology/approach – The data provided in this research was based mainly on three existing studies together with other ones gathered from an extensive collection of academic journals, reports and other surveys. This data was then analysed by identifying the leading factors contributing to this degree of representation of women in top managerial positions, with the result of coming up with the findings and recommendations for further research. Findings – The results derived from the data provided in this research consisted of discovering what the main factors are contributing to this underrepresentation of women in top managerial roles including a factor which although at first was thought to have a positive impact on this degree of representation, it turned out that it might be hindering these women’s prospects of achieving and retaining a top managerial position. Research limitations/implications – Due to the research being based on secondary data, important attention was given on the collection of this data since internet sources are sometimes unreliable thus sources required to be substantiated as much as possible. Therefore, this research limited itself to trusted and reliable sources such as published, reviewed academic journals. Practical implications – One of the factors that resulted to be contributing to the underrepresentation of women in top managerial roles was that regarding policies and legislations which was introduced by governments in order to increase the participation of women in the labour force. However, this provision by the states results to be customised for women who would want to work under conditions such as standard hours and days, and not for women who aspire to attain a top managerial position within organisations. Therefore, the need for new laws which can reach these careeroriented women is of outmost importance for the increase of women occupying top managerial positions. Originality/value – During the past years as the participation of women in the labour force increased, it might have led to be perceived that the representation of women in top managerial positions increased as well. However, this investigative research discovered that in actual fact there is an underrepresentation of women in these roles. This research explores this finding and suggests ways of increasing this representation in the future.