Examining Challenges Encountered by Women in Leadership: A Case Study on an SA SME Pharmaceutical Organization

Abstract

The research sought to investigate whether women in leadership positions in an SME pharmaceutical company in South Africa are encountering challenges and whether these challenges are a result of specific barriers. The research therefore identified and attempted to analyse what the challenges are that women in leadership positions in the SME pharmaceutical organisation are encountering or have encountered and whether these challenges are a result of historical barriers against women in leadership positions still being in existence and experienced in the SME environment. Consequently, the research questions and objectives focussed on identifying the challenges encountered and if there were specific barriers that contribute to women in leadership positions challenges within the SME. The sample selection would have consisted of seven present and six past female staff members that either currently hold or previously held a leadership position within the organisation. In the end, indepth one-on-one interviews were conducted with six participants using a semistructured open-ended discussion guide. The research study used a phenomenological method with a non-probability sampling technique, followed by thematic analysis. The finding was that although a shift in perceptions about females taking up leadership positions has been noted, this shift is not occurring quickly enough. The main challenges identified “social paradigm” barriers such as the working environment, mentorship, training, and perception challenges faced by female leadership. SME organisations are encouraged to promote leadership morale through effective directed mentoring, learning and development programmes to enrich their leadership staff. Furthermore, by reducing bureaucracy, mid-level leadership may be able to make effective decisions which could foster a growth mindset.