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.