Breaking the glass ceiling : women in the boardroom

Abstract

In light of the low number of women on Maltese government boards, the aim of this study is to explore the current situation in regard to the participation of women in government boards in Malta as well as the potential visible and invisible cultural and organisational barriers that may be hindering women from reaching the boardroom in the local context. In order to understand women’s non-progression to government boards, data was obtained by means of eight semi-structured qualitative interviews, conducted with appointed female board members/chairs who sit on different government boards and who have one or multiple roles on these boards. The data retrieved from the interviews was subsequently analysed using the Thematic Analysis Approach (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Following coding, three main themes emerged, these being: the Glass Ceiling, Career & Work-Life Balance, and Appointments. The key findings of this study suggest that, in the local setting, women who wish to progress in their career still need to work hard in order to break the glass ceiling and achieve decision-making roles. The participants in this study emphasised the importance of networking and political affiliations in order to be appointed on government boards in Malta, in the context of an informal recruitment process. They also pointed out a number of factors that limit women’s progression in their careers and their appointment on boards, such as, juggling personal and family commitments in a male-oriented organisation, family-friendly measures and career choices. Throughout this study it was apparent that gendered and stereotypical traditional roles are still highly prevalent in Maltese society, and in turn, this has a direct and indirect effect on these professional women several levels. Ultimately, recommendations that emerged from the key findings are put forward, in an attempt to reduce the androcentric cultures norms on a personal, local and national level.