Emerald | Gender in Management: An International Journal | Table of Contents

Gender and careers: a study of persistence in engineering education in Bangladesh

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The goals of this study were to examine the utility of social cognitive career theory in a South Asian context, extend SCCT beyond its individualistic roots to include social and contextual variables, and explore the possible differential validity of SCCT predictors for men and women. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved an in-class survey of Bangladeshi undergraduate engineering students including 209 women and 640 men. Findings – Despite stronger relationships between persistence and two predictors – social aspirations and self-efficacy – for men, self-efficacy, the core construct of SCCT, was the most important predictor of persistence for both women and men thus supporting the applicability of SCCT in non-Western contexts. Research limitations/implications – Several new measures were developed for this study which provide a basis for future research but will require further validation. The results demonstrated the applicability of SCCT in a non-Western context but the amount of variance explained was modest. Thus, additional research into context-specific factors affecting persistence is warranted. Practical implications – The results suggest that interventions intended to enhance the participation of women in non-traditional fields such as engineering should focus on enhancing self-efficacy, potentially through creating a more supportive learning environment. Originality/value – The current study is one of the first to assess the applicability of SCCT in a non-Western context and to examine the differential validity of SCCT predictors for women and men.

Career persistence of women software professionals in India

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – This paper seeks to explore career centrality, belief in gender disadvantage, and career success definition as the determinants of career persistence among women software professionals in emerging economies like India. The control variables used are marital and parental status. Design/methodology/approach – A survey questionnaire was administered to 190 software women professionals and statistical analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Findings – Belief in gender disadvantage and objective success definition are differentiators for career persistence while career centrality is not. Marital status and parental status are relevant control variables. Research limitations/implications – Further exploration is needed of the dimensions of career centrality constructs and control for demographic variables. Practical implications – Organizations should consider investments in child care support and other flexible work options so that women continue to remain in their careers. Originality/value – This is the first known study to explore career persistence among women with a focus on culture unique to Asian countries like India.

Contextual emotional labor: an exploratory of Muslim female employees in Pakistan

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Jawad Syed, Faiza Ali) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine contextual emotional labor, which is a long-term emotional experience in response to conflicting demands of societal and organizational contexts. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on qualitative interviews with Muslim female employees in two textile firms in Lahore, Pakistan, the paper explores the nature and extent of contextual emotional labor associated with these women's decision to step into “the male domain”. Findings – The study identifies contextual emotional labor as an integral part of Muslim female employees' work in the formal employment sector resulting from an ongoing tension between the display rules of the workplace and Islamic female modesty. Research limitations/implications – Scholars may wish to investigate the nature and form of contextual emotional labor in diverse geographic, cultural and religious contexts in order to refine the findings and theoretical implications of this study. Practical implications – Organizations may consider placing Muslim women in those roles in which there is lesser likelihood of conflict between their organizational and societal display rules, while not compromising their career. On a societal level, policy makers and religious scholars may consider findings ways to promote an enlightened interpretation of religious principles and their gender egalitarian practices to alleviate the contextual emotional labor experiences by female employees and other relevant groups. Originality/value – The paper offers original empirical research on an under-explored topic and geographical area.

An Agency of Their Own. Sex Worker Union Organising

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 01:00:00 +0100