The perception of the glass ceiling phenomenon

• Main Author: Pillay, Pamela
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Sex discrimination against women
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6276

M.B.A. === Barriers that hinder career advancement of women are both complex and varied. They have become top priority for organizations and the government. The "glass ceiling" is a term that symbolizes a variety of barriers that prevent individuals from advancing up the corporate hierarchy. Although many women hold management positions, few have made the breakthrough to toplevel positions. To determine what conditions are required for women to break the glass ceiling and attain management positions, an exploratory study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of the glass ceiling phenomenon amongst both males and female managers and what the implications of these perceptions are for change strategies targeted at including women in high level managerial positions. The research was limited to 48 respondents, all of different managerial levels and the responses indicated that both men and females agree that there are obstacles impeding the progress of women to higher managerial levels. However, a comparison in terms of perceptions of the various race groups was not established. There seems to be a change in focus by organizations in terms of their change management processes and of including females in management levels. Organizations are focusing on developing females to attain the various management positions available. However, despite the changes, some males have a nonchalant attitude towards assisting women attain higher managerial positions. Women have to get out of their mould and break through the obstacles of the glass ceiling in order to become victors in the corporate world