Women at the top: an analysis of factors influencing the representation of women in management in a selected international company

The status of women in management remains a subject of professional debate and challenge for organisations and institutions, despite the advancement of equal opportunities. Although women make up approximately 50% of the workforce in companies, when looking at the corporate 'sieve' across the hierarchy, this representation at the top is significantly reduced. This thesis provides a view of women in management from the perspective of a specific international firm, looking at the motivations and barriers for women and the corporate tools and strategies that influence their career progression into leadership positions. The first part of the thesis lays out a conceptual framework for the leadership of women represented in management and presents what is known so far about leadership and the contribution of women in the context of people management and organizational performance. The second part of the thesis seeks answers to the research questions through qualitative research conducted in a selected company through in-depth interviews with female employees working at different levels of management. The aim of the thesis is to identify key factors that help or hinder women's professional development, while critically evaluating company tools, strategies and approaches to the issue of women's advancement to managerial positions. The thesis aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of this area by answering research questions and offering recommendations for women's career development and their conditions within the corporate environment.