In this research I try to explore the notion of leadership roles in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on women's underrepresentation in leadership roles. This research also analyzes many aspects of leadership qualities & tries to gauge its overall effect on the organizational management. Finally the research would analyze different views on why women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles in both the political context as well as in terms of business. The study will also furnish some suggestions for the improvements of the representation of women in leadership roles.
Keywords: Women in leadership, underrepresentation,
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends & family for support they provided & their belief in me as well as guidance they provided without that I would have never been able to do this research.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACTII
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIII
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1
Problem Statement2
Purpose of the Study3
Research questions3
Purpose statement3
Theoretical perspective4
Research Method4
Significance4
Key Terminology5
Delimitations5
Limitations of the Study6
Ethical Considerations6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW8
Women and Leadership8
Statistics of Women's Underrepresentation as Leaders in Different Countries13
Stereotypes about Women Managers and Leaders14
Male Leaders15
The Myth of the Housewife15
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY17
Research Design17
Literature Search17
Keywords18
Definition of Qualitative Research18
Research Method19
Literature Selection Criteria20
Search Technique20
Theoretical Framework20
Variables in the Research20
Dependent Variable20
Independent Variables21
CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS22
Theoretical Perspective24
Domestic chores24
Discrimination in workplace25
Leadership Qualities26
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS27
REFERENCE29
APPENDICES32
Definition of Key Terms32
Leadership32
Stereotypes32
Gender Discrimination32
Underrepresentation33
Gender Gap33
Disparity33
Chapter 1: Introduction
The topic of balance of rights and effective participation of women in management has recently attracted more public attention. At first glance, it would appear that constitutional amendments governing the equal rights of men and women, including the sphere of control and rights standards for women are purely declarative. (Adler & Izraeli2008, pp. 45-56) This can be proven by the fact that despite the he Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 196, women are still hired on less salary than their male counterparts for the same job description and women often face hampered promotions to top leadership positions as compared to males, who are most of the time recognized as emergent leaders. It has been found out that although females have been leading many big organizations in the world, the treatment given to women leaders is different than male leaders. (Spence & Buckner 2008, pp. 44-62)
This has been observed that decisions taken by women leaders often receive less pleased responses and more disapproval from fellow group members, whereas when a male leader giving same input is readily approved. Studies have proven that discontented expressions and disapproval gestures causes a leader's part to be considered less valuable whereas when same part is received with expressions of pleasure and approval, they cause a leader to be more motivated and productive. Thus, it is a common observation how women's ideas are devalued. (Spence & Buckner 2008, pp. 44-62)
The main reason for which women are treated differently from men in leadership roles is because of the stereotypical approach of labeling females as inefficient and ineffective leaders (Rao & Latha 1999, ...