الملخص الإنجليزي
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this study is to examine women career development in order to understand
why women are underrepresented in top levels. The study is carried through a case analysis of
a single organization. Focused on Bahraini female managers, this study investigates the
relevant factors, processes and experiences of these women.
Qualitative rescarch is employed as the primary means of collecting and analyzing data.
Snowball sampling is used to gather a sample of 16 Bahraini managers. Participants' views
and experiences, captured through semi-structured interviews are analyzed using content
analysis of narrative data. Information collected relates to sources of self-efficacy, career
development barriers, career development enablers, support systems needed to support
women, factors influencing career expectations and future career goals.
The strongest source of self-efficacy reported is performance accomplishments. In addition
education, training, experience and personality types are important sources for women to
realize their potential. In relation to career barriers and supporting research on women career
development, women report gender stereotypes and work-family balance as major barriers to
their careers. Contrary to other researches, women did not report discrimination as a barrier.
Several factors have been discussed as enablers to career development, these factors are
education and training opportunities, mentoring and networking. In addition, organizational
and national efforts that take into consideration women role in life and at work are needed to
support women's development. Women report that their career expectations is mainly
influenced by the support they receive from important others such as their spouse, family,
friends and colleagues. The majority of the women in this study aspire to reach higher ranks,
how they see this happening depends on factors such as their self-efficacy beliefs, their
expectations and the environment surrounding them.
Recommendations are given to replicate this study in other organization in the same industry
and across industries. Also taking men's perspective on women on top would be insightful. It
is hoped this research contributes to the limited research conducted on women's careers in
Bahrain.
