Perception of women managers about the glass ceiling breakage

Abstract

Objective: this study aims to identify strategies and actions of female managers to break the glass ceiling, as well as evidencing management practices to be carried out by organizations. Methodology/Approach: A descriptive, qualitative survey was carried out based on the promoting factors of the glass ceiling. The survey was applied to female managers, resulting in 62 valid responses. Results: The study points out that the strategies and actions of female managers to break the glass ceiling include: family-based education, professional qualification, legitimacy through competence and results, self-confidence, and female empowerment. Study's Limitation/Implication: The first limitation concerns the sample size. Highlighted management practices to be executed by companies are: standardizing the promotion criteria, training policy, employee development program, company awareness of the benefits of diversity in management, and equal pay. Study's Originality/Value: It presents evidence on the glass ceiling phenomena faced by female managers. The study also shows ways that organizations can combat gender inequality at work.