Women Who Knocked Holes Through The Glass Ceiling: A Phenomenological Study

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Introduction of the Problem

Problem Background

Purpose of the Study

Research Question

Limitations of the Study

Delimitations of the Study

Definition of the Terms

Importance of the Study

Conclusion

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Introduction

Literature Review

Barriers to the executive suite: Evidence from Ireland

A gendered point of view on the challenges of women academics in The People’s Republic of China

Claiming authority: How women explain their ascent to top business leadership positions

Shattering the Equal Pay Act’s glass ceiling

Six ways of seeing the elephant: the intersection of sex, gender and leadership

Perceptions of women in management: A thematic analysis of razing the glass ceiling

Rethinking a glass ceiling in the hospitality industry

Shaking things up or business as usual? The influence of female corporate executives and board of directors on women’s managerial representation

Breaking the stained glass ceiling: Women’s collaborative leadership style as a model for theological education

A blind spot in organization studies: Gender with ethnicity, nationality and religion

Beneath the glass ceiling: Explaining gendered role segmentation in call centers

Benevolent sexism at work: Gender differences in the distribution of challenging developmental experiences

Breaking glass ceilings, ignoring dirty floors: The culture and class bias of diversity management

Fifty years later: Mid-career women of color against the glass ceiling in communications organizations

Locating women board members in gendered director networks

The glass ceiling that refuses to break: Women directors on the boards of listed firms in China and India

The glass ceiling: A perspective of women working Durban

The myth of the glass ceiling: Evidence from a stock-flow analysis of authority attainment

When should I quit? Gender differences in exiting competitions

Women entrepreneurs in a masculine society: Inclusive strategy for sustainable outcomes

What are the glass ceiling barrier effects on women career progress in Jordan?

To climb or not to climb: The probing of self-imposed barriers that delay of deny career aspirations to be an administrator in a public school system

Women in the corporate world: Who hires and promotes them?

Multiple Glass Ceilings

Influence and promotability: the importance of female political skill

Generational warfare: The new workplace

Gender gap in management in positions: A survey of male and female managers in zimbabwean hotels

Gender equality in the academy: The pipeline problem

Gender diversity policies in universities: A multi-perspective framework of policy measures

Gender differences in leadership role occupancy: The mediating role of power motivation

Cultural observations facing women managers: A south african perspective

Climbing the Himalayas

Are demographic attributes and firm characteristics drivers of gender diversity? Investigating women’s positions on French boards of directors

Conclusion

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Selection of Participants

Demographics

Instrumentation

Printed Paper with Questions

Background Data

Computer

Telephone

Methodological Assumptions

Social Constructivism

Procedures

Data Processing and Analysis

Data Collection

Conclusion

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS

Restatement of the Purpose

Restatement of the Demographics

Table Description

Summary of Findings

Results

Interview Question One

Interview Question Two

Interview Question Three

Interview Question Four

Interview Question Five

Interview Question Six

Interview Question Seven

Interview Question Eight

Interview Question Nine

Interview Question Ten

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings Restated

Conclusions

Major Question Related to the Purpose

Implications for Practice

Recommendations for Further Research

Research Objectives and Themes

The primary research objective of this study is to examine the lived experiences and strategic advice provided by female managers and executives who have successfully overcome workplace barriers, specifically the "glass ceiling," to achieve top leadership and CEO positions. The study aims to identify the key factors and behavioral patterns that enabled these women to reach senior management roles, with the ultimate goal of providing actionable tools and insights for other women aspiring to similar high-level organizational success.

• The persistence and prevalence of the "glass ceiling" phenomenon in global and U.S. organizations.
• The utilization of phenomenological research to capture the personal narratives and lived experiences of female executives.
• Common themes for success, including the role of mentorship, continuous learning, and political skill in career advancement.
• The influence of organizational culture, bias, and leadership structures on women's progression to top roles.
• Recommendations for corporate and policy-level interventions to foster gender equity in senior leadership.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the problem of the glass ceiling hindering female career advancement and establishes the phenomenological research approach to explore the experiences of successful female CEOs.

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE: This chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of existing studies and theories surrounding gender barriers, management dynamics, and intersectionality in organizations globally.

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY: This chapter details the qualitative, phenomenological design of the study, including the selection of 10 female participants, data collection via semi-structured interviews, and the manual coding process used to analyze the results.

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS: This chapter presents the findings from the interview process, organizing the data into common categories and themes identified through the participants' responses regarding their career progression and the glass ceiling.

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This chapter summarizes the research findings, provides conclusions on how women can break barriers, and offers recommendations for future research and practice to support gender equity in leadership.

Keywords

glass ceiling, phenomenological study, female CEO, career advancement, qualitative analysis, gender barriers, management roles, mentorship, leadership development, workforce diversity, organizational culture, professional identity, equality, workplace discrimination, interview analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The study investigates the experiences of successful women who have overcome the "glass ceiling" to reach top-tier management and CEO roles, aiming to extract their professional advice and strategies for other women.

What are the central themes discussed in this work?

The work focuses on systemic workplace barriers for women, the importance of continuous learning, the role of mentorship, overcoming bias, and the impact of personal agency in climbing the corporate ladder.

What is the core research question?

The central question is what activities or strategies successful female managers would recommend to other women to enhance their opportunities to excel and rise within an organization.

What research methodology was employed?

The researcher used a qualitative, phenomenological approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with 10 female participants to gain deep insights into their lived experiences.

What content is covered in the main body?

The main body reviews existing literature on gender representation, details the methodology for the participant study, analyzes the coding results from the interviews, and draws conclusions based on common themes like learning and perseverance.

Which keywords best characterize this research?

Key terms include glass ceiling, female CEO, career advancement, qualitative analysis, and organizational leadership.

How did the researcher handle the "member checking" process?

Member checking was integrated by inviting participants to review findings and provide feedback, ensuring the study maintained credibility and accurately reflected the perspectives of the interviewees.

How does this study address the "opt-out revolution" narrative?

The research contextualizes the "opt-out" debate by examining the structural and individual barriers that compel women to make difficult choices between domestic responsibilities and pursuing high-level career paths.