Women’s journey to the top: the role of bonding and bridging social capital

Abstract

Purpose Drawing on Putnam’s concept of social capital, this study aims to examine the oral life histories of women on management boards. It explores how the bridging and bonding forms of social capital are created and used to advance women’s careers to reach top management positions on corporate boards. Design/methodology/approach This study is both explorative and interpretive. A total of 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with female board members of Polish companies to gain access to their life histories. Findings Women develop social capital to advance their careers. However, they mainly focus on bonding capital, which allows them to sustain relationships within their inner circle. Bridging capital, which extends relationships to advance women’s careers, is often overlooked if not neglected. It seems it is usually an external shock when women understand the importance of bridging capital. Practical implications This study provides a better insight into how bridging and bonding capital help and/or distract women from reaching top managerial positions. It has potential policy-making implications for promoting women to leadership positions. The study results can guide organizations in providing equal opportunities for employees. Originality/value This study builds on previous research regarding the accumulation of human and social capital by board members. It encourages academics and practitioners to critically consider the relationship between bonding and bridging capital and the promotion of women to top management positions. This study provides access to a field of Central and Eastern European countries.

Exploring how social capital and self-esteem shape career success among women in a patriarchal African society: the case of Nigeria

“…Recent studies have provided insights into how career women in Poland and the Republic of Korea use bridging and bonding social capital to achieve career success (Chang et al. , 2021; Górska et al. , 2021).…”

“…The study found that the female workers' network that is characterized by intimacy directly leads to career satisfaction among them. Also, Górska et al. (2021) examined how bonding social capital relates to career success among career women on corporate boards in Poland.…”

“…For example, research has provided insights into how career women in the Republic of Korea (Chang et al. , 2021) and Poland (Górska et al. , 2021) use social capital to achieve career success.…”

Gender Stereotypes and Family Decision-Making: Comparative Study of Central Europe and Central Asia

“…Studies of GS as part of other research focused on women's economic and professional advancement. These were mostly conducted with qualitative methods, providing women's views on how GS hinder their professional progress (Górska et al, 2021;Greig & Kudaibergenova, 2019;Kuzhabekova et al, 2018;Kuzhabekova & Almukhambetova, 2019;Mihalčová et al, 2018;Nagy & Primecz, 2014;Nagy & Vicsek, 2014;Tokbayeva, 2020;Turaeva, 2017a).…”

“…Mihalčová et al (2018) argue that women face gender discrimination in public organizations because of their status as a mother. Górska, et al (2021) ascertain that women business executives link their professional advancement with their supportive family and relatives' egalitarian views. Nagy and Primecz (2014) postulate that women's international managerial careers are positively influenced by their egalitarian spouse and harmed by societal expectations of traditional gender roles.…”