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Abstract:
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Through a socio-constructive approach, this thesis examines barriers to career advancement for
female mid-level managers in Coop Danmark A/S.
The focal point of this thesis is the women’s articulations and barriers constructed hereby. The
methodical underlying basis is founded on a Grounded Theory inspired approach which is
characterized in that it allows the empirical outcomes to play a leading role in the assessment.
Generally, our empirical outcomes can be divided into three main categories:
1. Work hours and stressful working conditions as a barrier to advancement
2. The lack of support and encouragement as a barrier to advancement
3. The Glass Ceiling as a barrier to advancement
Work hours and stressful working conditions were articulated and thus constructed as a barrier to
advancement by the female mid-level managers in Coop. This was in evidence as the respondents
experienced discrepancy between their perception of what a top manager position involves and their
role in family life. The women considered it difficult to harmonize family life with work and long
hours. This was articulated unequivocally as a barrier.
Another central barrier found in this thesis was lack of support which had an impact on the
women’s experiences in regard to self-confidence and personal opportunities. The women’s selfconfidence
was impacted by their self-perception of lack of professional qualifications and skills.
This barrier was articulated explicitly as the respondents thought that they were not competent
enough professionally to occupy a store manager position. In addition, our outcomes showed that
the women lacked everyday support and encouragement from their respective store manager.
Furthermore, this assessment found indications that the widely recognized structural and
organizational barrier, The Glass Ceiling, has an impact on the advancement of female mid-level
managers. Several women stated explicitly that they experience Coop as a work place characterized
by a male dominated organizational culture, where men are favored and where equal opportunities
do not exist. These experiences and sentiments were articulated as being problematic and
discouraging, and show a negative effect on the women’s ambitions and experienced opportunities. |
