Estonia in transition: exploring the impact of change on women managers

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to explore the general impact of post‐Soviet transition on the experiences of women managers in Estonia. Using survey data the paper reviews women's responses to organisation change in a transition context. The paper focuses specifically on economic and social changes that are occurring in Estonia following its reassertion of independence from the Soviet Union.

Design/methodology/approach

A contextual background to transition is provided and the recent history of Estonia is charted in relation to the demise of the Soviet Union and events in the recent post‐Soviet era. The paper discusses the issue of whether women have, in general terms, benefited from Estonia's move away from the Soviet Union and into the independent European State of Estonia. Estonia's membership of the European Union is highlighted as a key factor that is likely to influence the experiences of women managers in the future. The results of a comparative survey (n=682) into the attitudes of Estonian women managers towards various change management issues at the organisation level are presented.

Findings

The results of the study suggest that many women face cultural barriers to advancement in the workplace, and that women are seeking out opportunities in response to economic and social change. Recent legislation changes suggest however, that Estonia's institutional framework will assist women's career development and position in the economic sphere.

Research implications

There is a need for more focused gender‐based management research relating to Estonia. Such research could, in part, be based on information gathered from the further development of formal gender‐specific employment monitoring practices at both organisational and governmental levels in Estonia.

Originality/value

Because there is a dearth of gender‐focused research across Central and Eastern Europe, this paper provides valuable insights into the effects of independence on the experiences of women in Estonia.

Citation

Alas, R. and Rees, C.J. (2005), "Estonia in transition: exploring the impact of change on women managers", Women in Management Review, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 446-460. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649420510616827