Career development experiences of women in senior leadership positions within civil engineering industry

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Moshupi, Maphoko Matilda

Issue Date

2013-01

Type

Dissertation

Language

en

Keywords

Career , Case study , Civil engineering , Executive positions , Experiences , Male-dominated environments , Non-traditional occupations , Self-determination theory , Senior leadership , Women

Research Projects

Organizational Units

Journal Issue

Alternative Title

Abstract

The paucity of women in senior leadership positions as indicated in the Business Women Association of South Africa 2011 census corroborates that gender equality is still a concerning issue even in the democratic era that we live in. This study explores career developmental experiences of women in senior leadership position in the civil engineering industry. The primary objective was to investigate how these professional women were managing their careers and what career experiences contributed to their ascent to the senior echelons of management. Meaning to the career experiences of these women had been given according to the self-determination theory. By means of purposive selection, seven women at senior management level were selected from both the private and public sectors in the civil engineering industry. Based on the semi-structured interviews conducted, personal documents reviewed and footnotes recorded; it was evident that there were different factors that had facilitated the ascent of these women to senior positions. Their career experiences were also characterised by challenges that subsequently instigated the development of coping strategies and methods. The study has implications for organisations in civil engineering that wish to attract and retain women from generations to come.

Description

Citation

Moshupi, Maphoko Matilda (2013) Career development experiences of women in senior leadership positions within civil engineering industry, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/10193>

Publisher

License

University of South Africa

Journal

Volume

Issue

PubMed ID

DOI

ISSN

EISSN