Networking: a male dominated game

Abstract

Purpose Using primary data from an online survey in addition to 29 semi-structured interviews among chartered accountants and academics in Cyprus, originally collected for the purposes of a PhD research, this paper aims to investigate the importance of networking with regards to women’s progression in the workplace, as well as the barriers women are faced with in their attempt to “play” the networking game in according to the male rules. Design/methodology/approach The use of an inductive approach was considered appropriate since there is little existing research on gender issues in Cypriot organisations. For the purposes of the study, a two-step qualitative approach was taken. Step 1 was an online survey with both closed and open-ended questions delivered to employed Cypriot men and women. Step 2 of the study comprised semi-structured, in-depth interviews. The interviews were conducted with specific, preselected employees, both men and women, comprising chartered accountants from the BIG Four companies in Cyprus and academics working at the University of Cyprus. Findings The research reported in this paper suggests that while there is the perception that men and women share the same opportunities within the workplace and women do not progress by choice, there appear to be various structural and cultural influences at play. It is clear that women are restricted from networking opportunities either intentionally or due to cultural and societal norms and this results in minimising their chances of breaking the glass ceiling and progressing to the top of the organisational ladder. Originality/value The research focuses on the impediments women in Cyprus are faced with in their attempt to network. There is no previous research on this subject in Cyprus.

Women’s entrepreneurial intention: The role of sticky floor perception and social networking

“…This might be clearly perceived in the social networks’ features that men establish, where their networks are mostly male dominated in nature (Ely et al, 2011; Greguletz et al, 2019; O’Neil et al, 2011). Therefore, men opting to establish connections with other men might ultimately lead to women being excluded from these networks (Burke et al, 1995; Socratous, 2018). Even though they have been considered as a significant source for establishing influential connections, sharing important information and learning about new career opportunities, the well-known ‘old boys’ networks’, which are dominated by men and consist of activities considered more appropriate to that group (Gamba and Kleiner, 2001; O’Neil et al, 2011), generally prohibit women from joining or participating in the meetings and activities conducted by these networks (Cross and Linehan, 2006; Reichman and Sterling, 2004).…”

“…Social networking behaviour, which consists of setting up, managing and maintaining formal and informal links and connections with internal and external stakeholders (Forret and Dougherty, 2001; Socratous, 2018), is of substantial benefit to entrepreneurship (Ozgen and Baron, 2007) and advancement in the organization (Davies-Netzley, 1998; Johnson et al, 2014). Nevertheless, the variation in social networking behaviour amid males and females may have implications on entrepreneurial intention.…”

Does the commercial real estate industry need “more pussy on the block?”

“…This highlights a key difference between mentorship and sponsorship; one that has received a significant amount of attention in the scholarly literature (Friday, 2004). Formal and informal mentoring relationships are unlikely to help women reach the top echelons of management hierarchies if stereotypes about women’s leadership potential prevent those in positions of power from advocating on their behalf (Durbin, 2011; LaPierre and Zimmerman, 2012; Socratous, 2018).…”

Gender stereotypes make it harder for professional women to network in Cyprus

“…To test out whether the patriarchal Cypriot culture made it hard for women to network Socratous (2018) devised a two-part study. First, she investigated beliefs about gender equality in the general population using an online survey.…”

“…At the end of the report, Socratous (2018) said that there were a number of questions that needed to be explored in future studies. Does culture effect women networking elsewhere?…”