Women managers in India: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Focuses on the opportunities and challenges facing women managers in corporate India, against the backdrop of a worldwide (albeit theoretical) trend aimed at reducing the gender gap. Bases findings on responses to 162 questionnaires designed to establish the respective attitudes of male and female managers (within manufacturing and service industries) to key gender issues. Examines issues including ‐inter alia ‐ perceptions regarding company hiring practices and remuneration equity; the perceived competencies of women in management; the attitudes of men towards women managers and company initiatives to reduce the gender gap. Establishes that the majority of managers believe that employment in their organizations is based on merit and not gender, however, the results also identify a whole host of less encouraging attitudes which together indicate that there is still a long way to go before sex discrimination is eradicated. Makes a series of recommendations aimed at redressing the balance.

Citation

Gupta, A., Koshal, M. and Koshal, R.K. (1998), "Women managers in India: challenges and opportunities", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 17 No. 8, pp. 14-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610159810785593