Tales of challenge and resolution: narratives of women middle managers in the South African public service

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges and resolution tactics of women middle managers in the South African public service. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach using semi-structured interviews was used as a data collection technique. Narrative analysis was used with a sample of 20 women middle managers working within the South African public service. Findings Narratives of challenges faced by women middle managers in the South African public service included relational issues, with a subtle undermining of women managers, challenges rooted within the socio-cultural milieu – perversely undermining the experience of being a manager and challenges stemming from public service in general such as corruption, in turn, questioning the ability of women managers to handle such. In addressing these challenges, the women middle managers exercised three individual performative actions in response to the identified challenges. These include using direct confrontation, relying on networks for guidance and relying on indirect confrontation. Research limitations/implications Sample size challenges feature as a notable limitation including the research being conducted in only one political province of South Africa. Caution should be exercised when seeking to generalise the findings to other contexts. Practical implications Understanding the challenges and resolution tactics of women middle managers can be a useful precursor to management development interventions. Originality/value The study answers call for more processual career and management development studies that help understand not only challenges but also resolution strategies. This study illustrates both the difficulty of this and ensures opportunity for the advancement of women in management.

The intended and unintended consequences of remote working: Narratives from a sample of female public service managers in South Africa

“…This study narrowed its focus on understanding remote working experiences from a gendered lens by paying attention to women working within the public service. Furthermore, a noted area of inquiry is how those in managerial responsibilities experience aspects such as remote working (Chinyamurindi et al, 2022). This is an aspect that has not received attention, especially from a developing nation context.…”

Misogynistic Influences of Female Managers in Local Governments: A Social Construction or Lived Experience

“…Misogyny is everywhere; in family life, religious institutions, legal systems, government and paid workplaces. Examples of misogyny in paid workplaces include gender discrimination in employment (Vyas-Doorgapersad and Bangani 2020), masculine leadership preference, sexual violence and harassment, unnecessary questioning of female managers' skills, and the continuous relegation and second-guessing of women's contributions in the boardroom (Piggot 2004;Thobejane and Thobejane 2017;Ramohai 2019;Barker and Jurasz 2019;Chinyamurindi et al 2021).…”

“…Nevertheless, misogyny manifests especially through employment discrimination, role stereotyping, gender prejudice, and patriarchal structures and practices in the local sphere of government (Chirwa and Lukamba 2016;Malik 2022;Chinyamurindi et al 2021;Ngoepe 2021). The forms of misogyny in the local sphere of government in this post-colonial and post-apartheid South Africa align with the contention of scholars that the gender-based violence and discrimination of women begun in the colonial and apartheid era did not disappear with the country's transition to constitutional democracy (Khwela et al 2020;Wittmann 2012).…”