Abstract
With equal level of education and competency, both men and women should theoretically have equal opportunities for employment and career advancement. However, reality is quite different. Existence of an invisible barrier, known as a glass ceiling or glass labyrinth, has been recognized long ago. It is terminology used to describe obstacles women face when advancing to leadership positions and in their managerial careers in general. This barrier is rooted in and reflects socio-economic inequality, workplace dynamics, unresolved patriarchal culture, and legacies from the past. This research aims to identify the barriers of the glass ceiling and assess their impact on women's positions in the business world, particularly in management, where women are underrepresented despite constituting a significant portion of the workforce. A prospective study was conducted in November 2023 on a random sample of 120 female managers employed across various sectors in Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Data were collected through anonymous questionnaires and analyzed using IBM SPSS 23.0. Results of the analysis reveal that one of the major obstacles faced by women managers is family obligations and childcare responsibilities. Younger women managers with lower income perceive more career barriers compared to their more experienced female colleagues in higher positions with higher incomes.
Publisher
University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor
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