An Evaluation on Metaphoric Perceptions of Female Chefs towards Glass Ceiling Syndrome

Abstract

The glass ceiling is a sociological metaphor used to express the abstract barriers that prevent female employees from progressing on the career ladder. Perception of these barriers and developing negative thoughts about their working environment is called glass ceiling syndrome. This syndrome, whose presence is felt in many sectors today, also manifests itself clearly in food and beverage businesses. This study was carried out in order to examine the perceptions of female chefs about the concept of glass ceiling through the metaphors they created and to make inferences with the principle of causality. For the purposes of the study, a metaphorical perception questionnaire containing three semi-structured questions was applied to 91 female chefs working in various departments of food and beverage businesses. As a result of the content analysis made on 82 usable forms, it was determined that the participants developed 59 different metaphors and these metaphors could be grouped under 3 themes. The research was concluded with the interpretation of the reasons for the identified metaphors.