Climbing the illusive ladder: Examining female employees’ perceptions of advancement opportunities at a higher education institution

Abstract

The study examined how women at a higher education institution in South Africa identify factors they perceive as affecting their advancement opportunities to leadership positions. The study sampled women employees (n = 2 000) working in top management (1%), academic (44.1%), professional (15.4%), and administrative (39.5%) capacities. The women employees completed the Advancement Opportunities Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis extracted six factors perceived as influencing the advancement of women: barriers, capabilities, acceptance, work-life balance, advancement, and success beliefs. Addressing gendered work participation factors is critical for the purposes of talent management, succession planning, training and development, and retention practices for female employees.

Keywords:

• advancement
• advancement opportunities
• higher education
• leadership
• women
• women in leadership