The ‘Glass Ceiling’ Phenomenon for Malaysian Women Accountants

Abstract

Apparently it was claimed that organisations are often not build to accommodate women's values, primarily because they entered organisations relatively late, and work in a relatively narrow range of occupations. Given this scenario, men and women experience organisational cultures very differently and perceive gender discrimination as an issue. The number of women with children participating in the paid workforce has increased markedly over recent decades, but many workplaces have not altered their expectations or provided work policies to allow women to balance work and family responsibilities There is considerable and increasing agreement that what in fact keeps women back are invisible and artificial barriers that prevent qualified individuals from advancing within their organisations and reaching their full potential -the 'glass ceiling' phenomenon. Although women in Malaysia now represent 44.5% of the working population and are just as academically qualified as men, they are grossly under-represented at the senior management positions. This study attempts to discover the obstacles that keep women from rising above certain level in the organisations in an effort to raise both their individual self-worth and the level of their contribution to economic development.

Glass ceiling in the accounting profession: Evidence in Brazilian companies

“…Therefore, it is noted that the survey results show that the accounting profession is also the influence for the glass ceiling corroborating studies of Richardson (1996), Barker and Monks (1998), Twomey et al (2002), Haynes (2008), Abidin et al (2009) and Bruce-Twum (2013), which were carried out at the international level. The results show that the highest activities in the accounting profession, such as those of the Accounting Auditor, and those of the professional hierarchy command, as those of the Accountant, are in most cases performed by male accounting professionals.…”

“…The results show that Generation X female accountants also face obstacles and from their point of view male domination in the accounting profession tends to last. Abidin et al (2009), based on a study conducted in Malaysia, argue that organizations are not built to accommodate the values of women. This is because women entered the business world late and have a very narrow range of occupations.…”

“…Accounting Auditor Accountant Accounting Assistant 01 02 03 Barcelona et al, (1975); Powell and Butterfield (1994); Ohlott et al, (1994); Frankforter (1996); Fernandez (1998); Barker and Monks (1998); Meyerson and Fletcher (2000); Twomey et al, (2002); Cooper (2010); Lupo (2012); Bruce-Twum (2013); Abidin et al, (2009 Barcelona et al, (1975); Crompton and Sanderson (1990); Richardson (1996); Cambota and Pontes (2007); Cisnero (2015).…”

“…For the importance of studies that deal with the accounting profession and critical reviews, provided proper attention to gender issues. Furthermore, particularly regarding glass ceiling in the accounting profession-although being the object of study in international research, as indicated by Richardson (1996), Barker and Monks (1998), Twomey, Linehan and Walsh (2002), Haynes (2008), Abidin, Rashid and Jusoff (2009) and Bruce-Twum (2013), in the context under study, the effect in question and at this point in time-, such discussion is necessary and indicates relevant research.…”

The Discursive Construction of Modern Masculine Identities in Contemporary Malaysia

“…Malaysia is no exception especially, at the height of sexual revolution (Hirschman, 2016), when gender equality is gaining momentum and women are receiving more rights. More women are breaking through the 'glass ceiling' and occupying high ranking jobs, with increasing number of females being promoted to top organizational roles (Abidin, Rashid & Jusoff, 2009). Similarly, the rise of women's emancipation, economic power and financial independence has resulted in the declining of male power as well as the ambiguity of men's culturally prescribed breadwinning identity (Hirschman, 2016).…”