Determining factors and alternatives for the career development of women executives: a multicriteria decision model

Despite advances in women's access to managerial positions, the glass ceiling still restricts women's participation in corporate decision-making. Theoretical studies have examined the determining factors and career alternatives for women's professional development to understand the roots of this problem. However, analysis aimed at establishing the causal relationships and exploring the implications of this phenomenon is missing from the literature. To fill this gap, this paper provides an overview of the determinants of the career development of women executives and explores how these factors influence their alternatives for professional development. A sample of Spanish women executives is examined using multicriteria decision techniques, and associations are established between factors and alternatives for women executives' career development. This paper contributes to the topic of gender in management literature by enhancing the theoretical foundations and empirical validation surrounding the phenomenon of the glass ceiling. It has managerial implications in providing companies with an empirical basis for understanding the orientation of women's career development.

Automated summary

Despite progress, the glass ceiling remains a barrier for women in corporate decision-making. Previous theoretical studies have examined factors and career alternatives for women's professional development, but lacked analysis on causal relationships and implications. This paper fills that gap by exploring determinants and consequences of women executives' career development using a sample of Spanish women. It contributes to gender management literature by enhancing theoretical foundations and providing companies with empirical understanding of women's career development.