The glass ceiling in construction companies is still firmly in place: what is the secret: gender differences or lack of abilities?

Abstract

Construction management requires a unique body of knowledge, skills and competencies. Women experience difficult circumstances and influences on entering the construction industry as professional managers. The origin of such difficulties has been debated at length but no real remedy seems to be eminent. This creates the uncertainty whether the differences are gender related or competency related. Knowledge, skills and competency differences and its practical application is researched to determine its possible contribution to the under- representation of women. The methodology is restricted to literature study due to the lack of women managers in construction companies. No evidence exists in the literature to substantiate claims of gender related differences in knowledge, skills and competencies of construction managers