Constraints facing working women in Lebanon: an insider view

Abstract

Purpose -The ascendancy of women to top management positions is a perennial problem plaguing organizations worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to present some insights relating to this pervasive phenomenon from a Middle Eastern context by exploring the constraints reported by Lebanese women managers throughout their careers. Design/methodology/approach -Literature review and qualitative research methodology consisting of interviews with 62 Lebanese women managers in different fields of occupation. Findings -The findings suggest that the constraints reported by Lebanese women managers are similar to those reported worldwide. The main differences revolve around the strongly felt salience of cultural values and expectations constraining women to traditional roles and a more accentuated sense of patriarchy. Originality/value -The value added of this research is to present an insider view and fresh perspective into career constraints facing women from a non-traditional context, namely Lebanon. In view of the Western-centric nature of academic publication on the topic, there is a real need and added value in empirical research stemming from an Arab-Middle Eastern context.

Gender and Services Economy: Lebanese Women Position in Complex Arab World

“…According to Jamali, Sidani and Safieddine (2005), Lebanon is an Arab country and a setting up associate from the Arab partnership. Additionally, it is a pluralistic nation by splendor.…”

Roles of Organizational Cultural, Networks, Interpersonal Relationships, and Leadership Challenges: An Empirical Investigation of Women in Management

“…Two of these studies are (Jamali, Sidani, & Safieddine, 2005), (Kattara, 2005), (Al-Lamky, 2007), and (Tlaiss & Kauser, 2010). While Jamali, et al, (2005) and Tlaiss and Kauser (2010) focused on constraints as perceived by Lebanese women managers in some occupation fields.…”

“…Kattara (2005) focused on career challenges encountered by female managers in hotels in Egypt, whereas Al-Lamky (2007) examined challenges encountered by Arab women managers in Oman. Jamali et al (2005) intended to assess constraints faced by Lebanese women mangers. Employing interview, they collected data from 52 Lebanese female mangers and found that constraints facing Lebanese female managers can be classified into three main categories: socio-cultural aspects (cultural variables), corporate environment (stereotypical attitudes towards women and family and domestic commitments) and the structural constraints (exclusion from formal and informal network, absence of relevant benefits, and developmental assignments designed exclusively for male managers).…”

“…This literature review has confirmed that women managers in Arab countries encounter barriers that are associated with cultures that may hinder effective interaction, progression in careers, and networking. Regarding this, Jamali, et al, (2005) pointed out that several organizations have a strong masculine culture that negatively affect structural arrangements. It is worthy to point out that studies that have been conducted in Arab countries to examine challenges encountered by female managers may not be generalizable to the Jordanian context.…”

“…Prior research on culture of organization in the Arab region concluded that the work culture of organization seems to play role in impeding women's career progression if women can gain access to such work. Unsupportive and discriminant towards women are strongest concerns to the women force power in the Arab world (Jamali, et al, 2005;Tlaiss & Kauser, 2010). It seems that Arab culture share the same values and perceptions towards women in the workplace.…”