A Phenomenological Study of Female Gender Inequality in the Defense Industry Erica Helaine Woods Walden University
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 A Phenomenological Study of Female Gender Inequality in the Defense Industry Erica Helaine Woods Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Women's Studies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Erica Woods has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Joseph Barbeau, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Marcia Steinhauer, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. David Bouvin, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2015 Abstract A Phenomenological Study of Female Gender Inequality in the Defense Industry by Erica Helaine Woods MBA, Davenport University, 2004 BA, Michigan State University, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Applied Management and Decision Sciences Walden University March 2015 Abstract Despite advances made during the women's movement, gender inequality is a problem for women seeking leadership opportunities within the U.S. Defense Industry today. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceptions of civilian females who had experienced gender inequality obstacles in their professional advancement opportunities within the U.S. Defense Industry. The mommy track framework, defined as the family/work imbalance; the gatekeeper framework; and the institutional sexism framework were used to guide this study. The research questions focused on how these women perceived both internal and external barriers to their professional advancement in the U.S. Defense Industry. A criterion sample of 18 civilian females who worked within the defense industry was interviewed. Data analysis included coding, categorizing, and analyzing themes. The resulting 5 themes were worker bee, traditional mentality/transitional workforce, education/training/network, traditional organizational culture, and fighting back. The findings also identified that gender inequality is apparent, women limit their potential growth, Queen Bees sting Wanna- Bees, and traditional organizational cultures maintain the status quo as the norm and enforce gendered stereotypes. The study leads to positive social change by raising awareness to policy-makers, educators, and women that can help set an agenda to overcome gender inequality. A Phenomenological Study of Female Gender Inequality in the Defense Industry by Erica Helaine Woods MBA, Davenport University, 2004 BA, Michigan State University, 2002 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Applied Management and Decision Sciences Walden University March 2015 Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Nature of Study ..............................................................................................................7 Research Questions ......................................................................................................10 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................10 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................18 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ..............................................................25 Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 25 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 25 Scope and Delimitations ....................................................................................... 26 Significance of Study ...................................................................................................27 Implications for Social Change ....................................................................................28 Summary ......................................................................................................................32 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................35 Introduction ..................................................................................................................35 Strategy for Searching the Literature ...........................................................................36 Female Barriers in Career Advancement .....................................................................36 Human Development from Adolescent to Womanhood ..............................................38 i Biological Differences .......................................................................................... 38 Family-Work Imbalance ....................................................................................... 39 The Development of Social Structures ........................................................................42 Self-Stereotypes of Gender Roles ......................................................................... 42 Stereotypes in the Workplace ............................................................................... 45 Occupational Segregation ..................................................................................... 47 The Gendered Nature of Leadership ............................................................................52 Gendered Organizational Structures ..................................................................... 52 Institutional Sexism .............................................................................................. 56 Glass Cliff ............................................................................................................. 60 Lack of Access to Networks and Mentors ............................................................ 61 Methods........................................................................................................................72 Exploring Methods................................................................................................ 72 Quantitative Versus Qualitative Research ............................................................ 73 Research Designs .................................................................................................. 79 Exploring Outcomes ............................................................................................. 88 Exploring Different Designs and Methods ........................................................... 89 Exploring Different Groups .................................................................................. 91 Summary ......................................................................................................................92 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................95 Introduction ..................................................................................................................95 A Phenomenological Study of Qualitative Research ...................................................95 ii Methods of Data Collection and Analysis ...................................................................96 Setting and Sampling ............................................................................................ 97 Access and Rapport............................................................................................... 99 Pilot Test ............................................................................................................. 100 Data Collection ................................................................................................... 100 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................105 Issues of Trustworthiness ...........................................................................................108 Validity ............................................................................................................... 108 Reliability ............................................................................................................ 110 Ethics ........................................................................................................................111