Female representation at the corporate top (IVOR nr. 126) 2022/5.4.2.2:5.4.2.2 Barriers

Female representation at the corporate top (IVOR nr. 126) 2022/5.4.2.2

5.4.2.2 Barriers

Deze functie is alleen te gebruiken als je bent ingelogd.Deze functie is alleen te gebruiken als je bent ingelogd.Deze functie is alleen te gebruiken als je bent ingelogd.

The study identified eleven barriers that hinder women in reaching the corporate top. These are: bias, employee turnover rate, networking, organizational culture, pipeline, type of work, assumptions about women, Dutch culture, part-time work, gender roles and work-life balance. The most material barrier identified is that of organizational culture. This barrier was particularly relevant for Prof.ServicesCo, and to some extent also for ChemiCo. The kind of work on offer within the organization was acknowledged as a major barrier by ITCo. Interview respondents indicated that organizational culture plays a major role in women’s representation at the corporate top:

“I think that has in part to do with the quite masculine organization. (…) there are still relatively some masculine traits, which is not necessarily conducive for the job satisfaction of women. (…) What I hear from the organization is that there are, for instance, senior leaders who, if you want to indicate that you want to work four days, actually say: ‘oh so you do not want to have a career’. (…) There are still conservative (…) images, or conservative thoughts regarding what it takes to have a good career.” (Prof.ServicesCo)

Another interviewee mentioned that the organizational culture could also interfere with the successful implementation and execution of interventions:

“We do have the policies there. There is a lot available for our employees to take advantage of. But it’s that culture piece. Where people could take advantage of it. But they’re worried about the implications of taking advantage of it. Because they’re not secure enough. In recognizing that if you took a time-out every year, you should essentially still be able to be successful. But that’s not (…) the feeling that people have.” (Prof.ServicesCo)

This indicates that organizational culture determines whether interventions will in fact be used effectively.

Deze functie is alleen te gebruiken als je bent ingelogd.