Barriers to career progression for women in the automotive industry -A qualitative study of how gendered substructures affect women’s opportunities for career advancement in an automotive MNC.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify possible barriers to career progression as perceived by female employees of senior positions in an automotive MNC by using the concept of gendered substructures as a theoretical foundation. The home country organization will be compared with a foreign subsidiary in order to compare the results within the company. Methodology: The study was conducted through a deductive qualitative research approach that is based on in depth interviews with female respondents of senior positions in two different locations, some in the Swedish organization and the others in the Chinese organization. The study is theoretically based on gendered organizational theory, which is used to analyse the gathered data. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that gendered substructures do affect women’s barriers for career progression, both in the Swedish and Chinese organization. This is most clearly demonstrated by the many themes identified by the respondents during interviews that strongly correlate to the theoretical framework established using existing research in the field. Contribution: The contribution of this study is mainly related to the practical understanding it provides to existing knowledge in the research field. By using gendered organizational theory and the concept of gendered substructures in an international setting new insights are provided.