The Glass Ceiling and Women in Leadership Positions : The case of Bahrain

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of the study is to comprehend the phenomenon of the glass ceiling in leadership positions (women under representation) in order to understand why women are underrepresented in top level. The study is carried through a constructive survey. Quantitative research is employed as the primary mean of collecting and analyzing data. Snowball sampling is used to gather a sample of 107 respondents in Information Authority Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Participants' answers analyzed using different types of statistical analysis methods such as Cronbach, t-test and Anova test. Information collected relates to the organizational culture, Perceptions of Male vs. Female Leaders (Gender Stereotype) and Leader's Origin (Insider vs. Outsider). The study conclude that Information Authority Affairs in Bahrain (IAA) is male dominated as the male employees constructed the majority of the work force in IAA this will affect the organizational culture, however the respondents agree that both men and women managers are effectively informed and there is no communication gap between both clusters, At the same time the respondents who are mainly males do agree that women are underestimated of their power to translate company values, goals and brand identity into actions choice. Recommendations are given to replicate this study in other ministries in Bahrain's cabinet, also to study the same factors in other researches that targeting female group, it hoped this research contributes to the limited research conducted on women's career in Bahrain.