Perceptual Barriers to Leadership: Advancement For Corporate Sector Women

Abstract

Critical impediments for women in leadership positions, both in the corporate and educational sector, continue to block progress. Identifies barriers to success from a socio‐cultural and psychological perspective, such as sex‐role stereotyping, few female role models, and societal attitudes towards women as leaders. Barriers impeding success are procrastination, lack of acceptance, and “it′s a man′s world” attitude. University personnel planning leadership training programmes must consider the needs stated by respondents to this survey and offer seminars based on their specific requests. Requested programmes included: effective communication skills, stress management, time management, problem solving, team building, public speaking, supervisory skills, organisational politics, human relations skills, and self‐esteem building.

Explaining Gender Inequity in the New Zealand Accounting Profession

“…Barker et al (1999) find that Irish male accountants tended to benefit significantly more from the role modelling offered by male rather than female mentors, whereas the benefit to women is unaffected by the mentors' gender. Other studies such as Freeman (1990), Kisch &Ryan (1991), andFlynn (1996), indicate that female role models act as significant positive influences in terms of career aspirations, for other women. In summary then, if high status male accountants are more likely to choose to mentor other males, then females will have less access to the benefits of mentor support, and vertical segregation of men and women in paid employment could result.…”

Sex differences in explanations for career progress

“…For example,`D epends on political orientation, time in business, sex, age and how good you are at playing the game'', and``Some opportunities are given to those with the strongest political links, as opposed to the appropriate skills and qualifications''. (Mainiero, 1994), doing the job well (Marshall, 1984;Reynolds and Associates, 1990), being a team player (Kakabadse and Margerison, 1987), determination to succeed (Still, 1993;Sinclair, 1994), communication skills (Ruderman et al, 1995), integrity, (Kisch and Ryan, 1991), self-confidence (Snyder, 1993), role models (Gold and Pringle, 1988), stereotyping (Bellamy and Ramsay, 1994), parental role, ability to relocate (Davidson and Cooper, 1992), gender (Hede and Dingsdad, 1994), formal organisational policies, and informal organisational policies (Stewart and Gudykunst, 1982). A principal factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed on the items.…”

Women Chartered Accountants – progressing in the right direction?

“…The existence and awareness of role models is an extremely important factor in the development of women partners in that they provide potential achievers with motivation and enthusiasm to succeed. Numerous studies out with the accountancy profession [10][11][12] also demonstrate that female role models clearly act as a significant influence in terms of career aspirations for other women.…”