Impact of networking on career development: Experience of high-flying women academics in Malaysia

Abstract

The article reports a study the objective of which is to explore the experience in networking of a group of high-flying women academics (HFWAs) and its impact on career development. Data were gathered using in-depth interviews to 31 women professors who have been identified as high-flyers. Networking had brought them to fast upward career mobility. The themes that relate to the influence of networking to their career are: (i) graduate study paved the way for international networking; (ii) networking created win-win situation for both individuals and institutional partners; and (iii) personal factors contributing to networking. Findings are significant to other academics particularly women who are aspiring to be in the fast-track career.

Key words:

• High-flyer
• woman academics
• career development
• Malaysia

Notes

This paper was recognized with the Best Paper Finalist Award at The Fourth Asian Conference of The Academy of Human Resource Development held in Taiwan, 2005.