Glass Ceiling Effect

1670 Words4 Pages

Introduction
This essay will examine the effect of the glass ceiling for women in management positions. The glass ceiling effect can be defined as barriers to advancement in a profession, affecting women, particularly for top management positions in this essay. It examines some specific barriers such as female role constraints and the importance of mentoring and other strategies for success. Furthermore, it will describe the methodology of the five examined articles and the significance of each. Women may be entering the labour force and management positions in greater numbers, however; research suggests that the issue of the glass ceiling effect is still prevalent to society today.
Barriers
There are various barriers that exist to the glass ceiling effect. This effect is disadvantageous to women for receiving top management positions and to progress further along the hierarchical structure. One of the key barriers was the ‘old boys’ network. This is an informal network in which men can use their position in the organization to help those of the same similar background. This network prevents women from receiving the same opportunities. Women are excluded from informal business discussions that occur such as playing golf with the boss. One middle-level manager said: “I am disadvantaged than my male peers because I am excluded from the ‘old boys’ network because I am a female.” This is a strong indicator of the significance of this network. (3) found that women are at an disadvantage because of the established political system and networks within the organization that consisted of men and excluded the women. (3) Another finding indicated that interpersonal/people skills are very valuable to establish good networks to be successful ...

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... women or minorities from succeeding further in the hierarchical structure of an organization. The essay examined the glass ceiling effect for women in management positions. As time has progressed and transformed the workforce, more women have not only entered the workforce but have been given management positions. However, the issue prevalent to society today is that women are not given the opportunity to senior executive positions due to these invisible barriers the glass ceiling effect presents. This essay identified a few major barriers such as female constraints and strategies such as mentoring. The essay then discussed the future of this issue and some possible solutions. Women may be entering the labour force and management positions in greater numbers, however; research suggests that the issue of the glass ceiling effect is still prevalent to society today.

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