The Empowerment of Women in IT sector of the UK

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of “The Empowerment of Women” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “the empowerment of women in IT sector” and its impact on the productivity. The research also analyzes many aspects of empowerment and tries to gauge its effect on performance of women. The research also analyzes different themes that relate to the empowerment of women. Finally the research discusses different tools and methods for enhancing and increasing the empowerment of women in IT sector of UK.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Enquiry Overview1

1.2 The Research Background1

1.3 Research Problem1

1.4 Purpose Statement2

1.5 Research Aims and Objectives2

1.6 Research Question3

1.7 Rationale of the Study3

1.8 Scope of the Study3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

2.1 Introduction5

2.2 Conceptual clarification of the Empowerment of Women5

2.3 Equality Act 20106

2.4 Role of the Empowerment of Women in the corporate world7

2.5 Extent of the Empowerment of Women in IT sector9

2.6 The Empowerment of Women through HR profession in IT sector10

CHAPTER3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY22

3.1 Introduction22

3.2 Research Design22

3.3 Research Paradigm23

3.4 Rationale for a Mixed Methodology23

3.5 Research Strategy: Interviews25

3.6 Sample27

3.7 Data collection method28

3.8 Data Analysis Procedures29

3.9 Research Approach29

3.10 Participants30

3.11 Pilot Questionnaire30

3.12 Researcher Bias31

3.13 Quality and Verification32

3.14 Reliability/Dependability32

3.15 Validity33

3.16 Ethical issues34

3.17 Summary35

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS37

4.1 Introduction37

4.2 Adoption of Thematic Analysis37

4.3 Conducting a Thematic Analysis37

4.4 Generation and Categorization of Themes38

4.5 Posteriori Theme42

4.6 Analysis of the Interviews48

4.7 Conceptual Framework and Research Outcomes: Developing association51

4.8 Summary53

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION54

5.1 Introduction54

5.2 Evaluation and Discussion of Findings54

5.3 Corroboration: Linking Research Findings with Main Objectives56

5.4 Recommendations59

5.5 Further Research Direction70

5.6 Expand the role of HR to reach global operations more effectively71

5.7 Encourage Collaborative Practices and Self-Design72

5.8 Summary73

CHAPTER 6: REFLECTIVE LEARNING74

6.1 Introduction74

6.2 Reflective Journals74

6.3 Conclusion76

REFERENCES79

APPENDICES88

Appendix A88

Appendix B91

Appendix C94

Appendix D97

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Thematic Analysis Process

Table 2: Priori Themes: Main Determinants of The empowerment of women

Table 3: Posteriori Themes: Main Determinants of The empowerment of women in HRCHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Enquiry Overview

This research is based on the empowerment of women in the corporate sector. The main aim of this research is to identify and analyze the empowerment of women in the corporate world in IT sector of the UK. Furthermore, the role of human resource management in encouraging the empowerment of women is also included under the purpose of this research. Along with this, extent of the empowerment of women in IT sector of the UK is also focused in this research. Chapter one to six are structured in an effective manner to accomplish the aims and objectives of the ...