Women in manufacturing South Africa: Perceptions of the glass ceiling as they progress in their careers towards top management positions

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in many organisations has been highly recorded in research. While much progress has been noted, organisations continue to lag behind in women representation in top management positions. The manufacturing sector, being a male-dominated industry is one of the lagging industries when it comes to representation of women in top management positions. The manufacturing sector in South Africa contributes 11% to the GPD and employs 14% of the employed population in the country. The manufacturing sector is set to be an industry that countries can lean on for economic growth. It is therefore imperative for women to be included proportionally as part of the workforce. The glass ceiling concept continues to persist in the manufacturing sector. The research sought to understand the perceptions of the glass ceiling by the women in the manufacturing sector in South Africa. The research developed a conceptual framework that organisations can implement in overcoming the glass ceiling.