Dissertation
Discerning the glass ceiling: a phenomenological study of the glass ceiling, social role theory, role models, mentors, sponsors, and champions
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
May 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7197
Abstract
Women currently represent roughly half the national workforce, but only a relatively small percentage of these women ever achieve senior and executive level positions. This study explored the challenges faced by women as they journey to executive level positions. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore possible obstacles encountered by women on their path to senior and executive levels and the types of support they received to overcome these obstacles. This phenomenological research study explored the following research questions: "How do women who succeeded in reaching the executive level describe their journey?", "What obstacles did they encounter on their path to the executive position?", and "What role modeling, mentoring, sponsorship or championship did they receive on the journey? The goal of this study was to better understand the experiences of women who have successfully advanced in their careers, learn from their experiences, and offer insights into best practices that may benefit other talented women seeking professional growth. The findings of this phenomenological study provide verbatim comments of eight highly successful executive women. Findings were consolidated into five results. Results include personal characteristics such as strong work ethic; extraordinary performance; welcoming new challenges; fearlessness; family support; and the influence of role models, mentors, sponsors, and champions. Obstacles that hindered their rise to executive level positions were virtually nonexistent. Several of the participants of this research study acknowledged the existence of a glass ceiling but believed it did not apply to them; it was not part of their personal experience. Recommendations for aspiring women included the importance of gaining visibility through stretch assignments, developing professional networks and actively identifying and seeking the support of role models, mentors, sponsors, and champions to be considered for promotional opportunities. Recommendations for companies that seek to promote talented women included CEOs making gender equity a priority. In addition, the importance of establishing formal mentoring programs and executive leadership forums to enable talented women to develop professionally was emphasized. The idea of companies sharing proven best practices in the form of white papers as a means for other companies to replicate success was also discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Discerning the glass ceiling
- Creators
- Robin Radke Famiglietti - DU
- Contributors
- Salvatore Falletta (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 134 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7197; 991014632558104721