Gender-based Barriers to Senior Management Positions: A Case Study of Female Managers in Zain Telecommunication Company In Kampala District

ABSTRACT This study examined gender-based barriers to women in senior management positions in Zain Telecommunication Company in Kampala district. Specifically, the study sought to assess the extent to which Zain Telecommunication Company had implemented the affirmative action in promoting equal employment opportunity for staff; the extent to which the barriers to women in senior management positions were gender-based and; the relationship between gender-based barriers and senior management. A case study research design was used and primary data V~iere collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The study sample consisted of 67 respondents (8 managers in top positions, 59 middle and bottom staff) selected from Zain Telecommunication Company staff in Kampala district. Finally, data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). The results of the study revealed that affirmative action was implemented by ensuring no employee discrimination in promotions, remuneration and job benefits. Despite this, employee selection practices in Zain Telecommunication Company emphasized hiring the best-qualified individuals with no consideration of sex. This was probably because Zain Telecommunication Company associated academic qualifications with performance at work. Consequently, there was low female representation among senior managers in Zain Telecommunication Company compared to male representation. There was a negative relationship between gender-based barriers and senior management implying that gender factors were a barrier to women in senior management positions in Zain Telecommunications Company. Finally, the study recommended for mentoring of female employees to develop managerial ability, reforming of Zain recruitment policy, succession planning for women employees, training and sharing of family responsibilities between women and men and networking.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ii

APPROVAL BY SUPERVISOR iii

APPROVAL SHEET iv

DEDICATION V

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES x

LISTOF FIGURES xi

LIST OF ACRONYMS xii

ABSTRACT xiii

CHAPTER ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1

Background to the study 1

Statement of the problem 5

Purpose of the study 6

Research Objectives 6

Research questions 6

Scope 7

Significance of the study 7

Conceptual framework 9

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 11

Introduction 11

Theoretical framework 11

vii

Review of related literature 12

Problems and their scope: Opinions from authors 31

Conclusion 36

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 37

Introduction 37

Research Design 37

Research population 38

Sampling Procedure 38

Research Instruments 39

Validity and Reliability of Research Instruments 40

Data Analysis 42

Ethical considerations 42

Study limitation 42

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND

INTERPRETATION OF DATA 44

Introduction 44

Background characteristics of respondents 45

Affirmative action and promotion of equal employment opportunity for

staff 50

Barriers to women in senior management positions 56

The relationship between gender-based barriers and senior management6l

CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMENDATION 69

Introduction 69

Findings 69

Conclusions 81

Recommendations 82

Suggestions for further Research 84

REFERENCES 85

APPENDIX 1: RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS 95

APPENDIX II: SPSS WORKSHEET 102

APPENDIX III: AUTHORITY LETTER 116