Women's Experiences of the Glass Ceiling in U.S. Manufacturing and Service-Based Industries

Women’s Experiences of the Glass Ceiling in U.S. Manufacturing and Service-Based Industries by Diane Mastroguiseppe MS, Neumann University, 2008 BA, Neumann University, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University December 2018 Abstract Fewer women occupy executive-level positions in U.S. companies compared to the number of men. Antidiscrimination laws have been in place for 30 years to combat the threat to gender equality. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of executive-level women employed in the manufacturing and service-based industries to explore the persistence of the glass ceiling. Social learning theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 12 executive-level women in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Data analysis involved hand coding and software coding to identify six themes: discrimination, opportunities, support and choices, advantages, balances, and roles. Findings indicated that discrimination against women being promoted to executive positions still exists. Most participants stated that lack of enforcement of antidiscrimination laws and quota programs could be a hindrance to women being promoted to executive-level positions. Findings may be used to support the promotion of women to executive-level positions in the manufacturing and service-based industries in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.Fewer women occupy executive-level positions in U.S. companies compared to the number of men. Antidiscrimination laws have been in place for 30 years to combat the threat to gender equality. The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to examine the lived experiences of executive-level women employed in the manufacturing and service-based industries to explore the persistence of the glass ceiling. Social learning theory provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with 12 executive-level women in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Data analysis involved hand coding and software coding to identify six themes: discrimination, opportunities, support and choices, advantages, balances, and roles. Findings indicated that discrimination against women being promoted to executive positions still exists. Most participants stated that lack of enforcement of antidiscrimination laws and quota programs could be a hindrance to women being promoted to executive-level positions. Findings may be used to support the promotion of women to executive-level positions in the manufacturing and service-based industries in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Women’s Experiences of the Glass Ceiling in U.S. Manufacturing and Service-Based Industries by Diane Mastroguiseppe MS, Neumann University, 2008 BA, Neumann University, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University November 2018 Dedication The most important dedication for this dissertation goes to God. He blessed me with the strength to persevere in times of sorrow, depression, and despair. He blessed me with the stamina to work on a page or a paragraph after working and traveling 16 hours. God blessed me with the courage to work toward this goal when everyone encouraged me to quit. God blessed me with intelligence, perseverance, but most of all, a loving, supportive family. I also dedicate this work to my late husband, Carmen, who pushed me to succeed in all my academic and work endeavors. He believed in me and provided me with the confidence I have today. The week before he died, he made me promise him, and myself, that I would finish my PhD. He said that I owed it to myself and to remember that I could do anything. I also dedicate this to my late mother. She never understood why I did not quit after Carmen died, but was so very proud of my perseverance. In their honor, and with the blessings of God, I finished my dissertation. Acknowledgments I take this opportunity to express my appreciation and sincerest thanks to Dr. Richard Schuttler. He encouraged and challenged me throughout this process. It has been a long road, with a change to my topic along the way, but he never gave up hope in me. Dr. Schuttler pushed me when I needed it and through his extensive experience provided the guidance I required. My sincerest appreciation is expressed toward my committee member, Dr. Robert Nolley, for his valuable feedback that facilitated my work becoming PhD-worthy. I also thank all of my participants who took time from their work and families to contribute their lived experiences to this study. Without them, the research would have never happened. I would also like to thank my Walden advisors for checking up on me periodically and ensuring that my needs were met through the university’s various assets. I also would like to thank my friends and family for making sure that I came up for air periodically, that I stopped to eat, and for understanding when I said I had to work on my paper. To all of these people, as well those who passed away while I was in this process, I express my sincerest gratitude. I thank you all for putting up with me on this journey.