Factors Affecting the Careers of Female Executives in Banking

• Main Authors: Ai-Chieh Chang, 張艾潔
• Other Authors: Chien Yu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/58761824642282586890

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 工業科技教育研究所 === 91 === The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the factors affecting the careers of women in managerial positions in banking. The data was collected through interviews with eight females employed in a variety of managerial positions in eight different banking firms. They were asked their personal assessment of individual and environmental factors affecting their career success. The findings were as follows: INDIVIDUAL FACTORS 1. Traits traditionally identified as “womanly”, such as being attentive to details, sensitive to others, patient, and considerate facilitated their work in the service environment of banking. 2. A high level of interest and personal initiative in acquiring and expanding financial knowledge facilitated advancement and involvement in their careers. 3. Their most important motivators were recognition of their achievements by others in the work place, self-challenge and self-accomplishment. 4. Winning career promotions was facilitated by hard work, reliability, seeking opportunities to show their abilities and pursuing self-improvement. 5. Leadership styles that were most effective for the participants included using personalized communication, team building, and individual expressions of encouragement for subordinates. 6. Education and work experience were seen as important factors in career success. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 1. Although they had heavy work-loads, participants did not see family responsibilities as an obstacle to career success. They felt free to pursue their careers because relatives and/or hired helpers were available to them. 2. Support from spouses, parents, parents-in-law and friends helped women pursue their careers without pressure. 3. Social and cultural factors, such as sexual stereotypes, were reflected in the structural organization of the various banks and these differences directly affected the promotion opportunities of the participants. 4. Women managers felt sexual stereotypes caused them to spend more time and effort to prove their capabilities than male managers. 5. Women managers felt a competitive environment pushed them to improve themselves but they also felt unsure of their future because of bank mergers.