Purpose This investigation examined the challenges faced by women in leadership positions in the US construction industry. The overall purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the challenges, and identify suitable practices, strategies and suggestions to support the employment and retention of women in the US construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach, the authors distributed a survey to the target audience composed of women leaders in the US construction industry, and 14 participants completed the survey. Findings The outcomes of the study revealed the following challenges: negative perceptions of women in the industry manifested through discrimination and hostility; a stressful work environment that does not promote a good work-life balance; and a lack of role models that impacts women’s retention and career development in the construction industry. Originality/value This study discusses possible strategies and recommendations for women in construction to rise through the ranks of power within the industry.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of working women in a male-dominated country (Morocco) and unveil the unique challenges and everyday gender-bias they face, the psychological impact of the perceived gender-bias and, finally, identify a variety of coping strategies or combatting mechanisms affecting their motivation and retention in the workplace. Design/methodology/approach Empirical evidence was obtained using a qualitative research method. The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) was used to collect incidents recalled by women in the select institution reflecting their perceptions of their managers’ ineffective behaviors towards them and the impact of these behaviors. The critical incidents were inductively coded, and behavioral statements were derived from the coded data. Findings The qualitative data analysis led them to structure the data according to two theme clusters: The perceived gender-bias behaviors (Covert and evident personal and organizational behaviors) and Psychological impacts resulting from the perceived bias. These behavioral practices included abusive behaviors, unfair treatment, bias and lack of recognition. The psychological impact elements involved decreased productivity, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Practical implications Understanding these experiences can facilitate the identification of strategies geared towards the retention of women in the workforce, and Moroccan organizations can develop and implement strategies and policies that are geared towards eliminating gender-bias in the workplace and to retaining and motivating women who remain ambitious to work in male-dominated environments and cultures. Originality/value This paper provides evidence that sufficient organizational mechanisms to support women in male-dominated environments are still unavailable, leaving them to find the proper coping mechanisms to persevere and resist.
The present study aims to understand how professional Moroccan women working in various sectors perceive their current work‐life balance (WLB). While gender equity and women's empowerment have been rising in the past few years in Morocco, there may still be challenges faced to accomplish their career and family roles. An exploratory approach to the study has been employed in order to unveil the various barriers hindering women's WLB within the Moroccan organizational context. Using structured interviews, participants were given an opportunity to review what they believe is important in achieving a good WLB. A total of 45 women participants have voluntarily engaged in an interview that lasted between 30 and 45 min. Findings from this investigation revealed that the overwhelming women's family responsibilities and the requirements of their professional obligations lead to a disproportionate burden on them, resulting in difficulty to manage both roles successfully therefore causing an imbalanced work‐life. The study offers valuable insights on how women view their current WLB and reflects on possible mechanisms to improve it. Understanding women's perceptions of their own WLB can facilitate the identification of strategies and policies geared toward the retention of women in the workforce, and Moroccan organizations can develop and implement HRD strategies and policies that are geared toward creating a workplace that is more supportive of women's professional and personal goals.
The purpose of this research was to determine what behaviorally distinguishes effective and ineffective managers within a Moroccan Higher Education Institution (HEI). The Critical Incident Technique (CIT) was the methodology deployed to collect data from participants in terms of how they perceive managers as either effective or non-effective. The collected data (CIs) were subjected to content and thematic analysis that resulted in derived positive and negative behavioral statements. A total of 42 participants/informants were interviewed and revealed a total of 418 CIs, of which 189 were positive CIs and 229 were negative. The analysis revealed a total of 49 Behavioral Statements (BSs), of which 19 were positive and 30 were negative behavioral indicators. The findings of this investigation bring empirical evidence to understanding what and how managers are perceived as effective or ineffective in the Moroccan academic context, and therefore adds to the literature. The information obtained can also provide rich information/knowledge that can be used as a basis to address the behavioral developmental needs of managers in HEIs. This research adds value by following a replication study as the French and Hungarian HEIs, which both were based on single HEIs; moreover, this study is the first to be conducted in the Moroccan/North African region.
It is not new for mother–scholars to face challenges in balancing work and life demands; however, the COVID–19 pandemic has redefined the meaning of mother–scholars as they maneuver working from home, caring for their dependents, and maintaining their research productivity. The following manuscript is a collection of autoethnographic studies of the experiences of four women of differing ranks in the academy: pre–tenure, mid–career, and late–career. What they all have in common is caregiving responsibilities that abruptly derailed their research agendas when the pandemic interrupted their lives.
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