The Progress Of Arab Women In Leadership - Research Proposal Example

Research Proposal Introduction Corporate management and organizational leadership has been a domain of men. Many studies have been done with a number of scholars supporting the idea of women being homemakers. Other studies conducted argue that women should work but under restrictions set by religion and men in their societies. Complete independence of Arab women at work should form a level play field for their advancement in careers. Corporate management and organizational leadership in Arabic States had been a preserve for men. Educational opportunities have opened the door for women to work in organizations and corporate world. However, since joining their work areas, there has been stagnation in career especially in managerial and leadership positions. The research proposal thus will investigate a myriad of factors that hinder the progress of women towards CEO positions in their respective corporations. Research Problem Arab women progress in corporate management and organizational leadership faces drawbacks. Arab women face huge difficulties when it comes to breaking the glass ceiling that prevent them from advancing in their career goals. For instance, there are a number of women graduating from colleges and thus finding their way into the workforce; however, little is known for their career advancement in leadership and managerial posts. A number of factors have been hindering career progression of Arab women. A complex of social, organizational and personal barriers explain the reason women fail to progress into organizational leadership and corporate management. These barriers arise from culture-based status and gender roles. The issue raised in this proposal is classified as problematic due to its prevalence in the society. Furthermore, there is no playfield allowing women to advance in their careers. In comparison to other countries especially in Eastern and Western Europe, studies show that there are no barriers preventing women from advancing to these positions. The aspect of gender disparity is likened to cancer in Arabic States reserving the role of women to homemakers. These notions have been killing the dreams of women with some of them resorting to the status quo that the society brings and advocates. The study of the barriers that hinder the progress of women in corporate management and organizational leadership is of great significance. The study will be critical in future policy formulation regarding gender disparities in Arabic States. Nevertheless, the research study identifies that women progression to corporate management and organizational leadership is due to anticipated discrimination rather than lack of ambition. The study will help the educational institutions come up with strategies that will ensure mentoring and networking of women. The research problem and the consequent study will provide a revelation that cultural practices and gendered thinking has been one of the major hindrances that impede women in career progression. The research problem is significant to Arab women who are dismayed by the lack of career advancement. In addition, the research problem is significant to government and policy makers. The problem is significant to the women activists who are championing for the integration of career women to organizational leadership and corporate management. For Arab women, the problem and the consequent study will enable them realize the hindrances that make them not realize their career goals. For the government and policy makers, the study will be critical in influencing legislations that will accommodate women in these positions. Women activists and NGOs will use the research problem and results to advocate changes that will see the integration of women into managerial and leadership posts. Appropriateness of the Study In the last two decades, Arab societies have witnessed a shift in the economy, politics and the socio-economic status. A significant economic change has seen an increase in foreign investment that has seen rising needs for skilled labor. Women status has improved in Arab nations in the context of education and entry into the labor market. Despite these major strides, the reality is that Arab women still struggle with patriarchal male-dominated organizations that have a conservative orientation towards women. Women are grossly underrepresented in the managerial position and organizational leadership. Academic research that has been undertaken in the past reveals that accurate statistics on the number women in the leadership position is low. Studies further indicate that career advancement in leadership and management positions for women is limited in both North America and Western Europe. These studies further reveal that knowledge about women positions as managers in Arab region is still limited. The unavailability of this crucial information precludes reliable conclusions on gender disparities between Arabic States and those in developed nations. Many authors have shed some light on the issue of underrepresentation of women in top managerial positions. For instance, Saleema and Hayfaa in their journal identify the barrier of women participation in organizational leadership and the future prospects. Hatem (2006) discusses the challenges Arab women face in Islamic societies relating to career advancement and progression. Jamali (2009) highlights some of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in developing societies that include Arabic states. Through intricate research review, the study will reveal new data that relates to what women face when advancing in the career. The research study will envisage the cross-sectional study of previously conducted studies while acting as a bridge of information between them. In addition, the study will present fresh data and information on hindrances that bar women from career progression. Definition of the Research Aims Research aims are the targets that the research proposal and the projects need to fulfill. They are important since they will keep the research on the course by avoiding unnecessary deviations. The research study looks at the factors that act as barriers to women advancement in corporate management and organizational leadership. The following will act as the research aims for the study. To conduct a cross-sectional review of the literature on challenges that Arab women face in career advancement To draw necessary insights from discrimination and human capital theories with an aim of understanding the challenges that hinder career progression of women To identify social and economic challenges that women face barring their entry into top management positions To understand why women underrepresentation in management positions is prevalent in Arabic states To increases the conceptual understanding of organizational, gender and societal factors that hinder progression of women in organizational leadership and corporate management. These research aims will contribute to the understanding of the research project by maintaining its relevance. This will maintain a balance of what is being studied, and the results yielded after the conclusion of the study. Research Methodology The methodology used for this research will entail cross-sectional survey of both quantitative and qualitative data. The data will be collected using self-administered questionnaires. Convenient sample of 100 Arab women will be selected from major corporate and organizations. To get a wide scope of the insight, these women will be selected from political and leadership circles that include the government, NGOs, business, and academic institutions. The primary mode of data collection will entail the use of questionnaires that are designed using closed and open-ended questions. These questions will touch on the demographics while seeking their insight on the barriers that hinder the progression of women in managerial posts and organizational leadership. Phone surveys will be used to collect data from women situated at far distances from the area where research is conducted. An intricate analysis of the previously conducted literature will form the basis of qualitative methodology. A number of resources identified at the end of this proposal will serve as the useful sources of information for the research project. The authors of these peer-reviewed journals will offer the necessary knowledge that is critical for the literature review. The research will use both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Qualitative method of data collection looks at the focus meaning rather than presenting quantifiable phenomenon. This will be crucial in the research study that seeks to understand factors leading to hindrances of Arab women in career advancement. The data yielded from the quantitative methodology will be analyzed from the questionnaire responses obtained from cross-sectional survey. Such sets of data will be effective in cementing the information obtained from the literature review. Hypothesis Statement 1. A myriad of factors hinders the progression of Arab women in corporate management and organizational leadership. 2. Gendered imbalances in corporate and organizational management are triggered by glass ceiling factors and other organizational barriers. Testing the hypothesis will entail formulation of an analysis plan after the project has been finalized. Testing the hypothesis will look at the significance level of the values 0 to 1. The testing method will involve analyzing the sampling distribution. A test statistic, in this case, can become handy, for instance, looking at the mean score, difference between the means, chi-square, and z-score among others. Access to Data Data will be collected using self-administered questionnaires among the respondents. Individual consent will be sought before the questionnaires are administered to the respondents. Google Search will be used to access the peer-reviewed journals using the dedicated search panel known as Google Scholar. Some of the information will be obtained from the physical library. Since some of the information is classified especially for the internet sources, a considerable amount of money will be needed in order to retrieve that data. Using approximation, $50 will be needed in order to access journal articles with classified information. Ethical Issues A number of ethical issues will arise from the research especially in conservative and semi-conservative Arabic States. Ethical issues that my arises include; The role of women is restricted to homemakers due to the widely accepted submissive nature of females to their male counterparts Participation that is not voluntary or rather dominated by coercion Conflict of interests by the researcher and the participants Covert observations that lack confidentiality and privacy Security of the data collected including personal information The research will address the above ethical issues by ensuring that there is confidentiality of the information collected from the respondents. In addition, the research will try to prevent close association with religion when touching on the pertinent issues. The consent of the participants will be sought when conducting the research. Conclusion A number of factors bar women from advancing their careers to the top positions. The research will commit itself to exploring glass ceiling barriers and their impacts on Arab women. The research methodology will thus offer a detailed analysis of these barriers. The term glass ceiling barriers will be used extensively in the research to refer to the major hindrances that prevent Arab women from progressing in their careers. The research will provide and discuss the findings and give necessary recommendation for adoption. The research will be an awakening call for Arab women to fight their way into career progression. Works Cited Afshar, H. Review: Women And Globalization In The Arab Middle East: Gender, Economy, And Society: Women And Globalization In The Arab Middle East: Gender, Economy, And Society.Journal of Islamic Studies 15.3 (2004): 401-403. Web. Al‐Lamky, Asya. Feminizing Leadership In Arab Societies: The Perspectives Of Omani Female Leaders. Women in Management Review 22.1 (2007): 49-67. Web. Cortis, Rachelle, and Vincent Cassar. 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