WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP ROLES

Underrepresentation of Women in Leadership Roles

Abstract

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, ...