Factors that Contribute Toward Women Being Successful at the Workplace? Presented by: Ummu Kolsome and Associate Professor Dr. Intan Osman

Women in the Malaysian Labor Market? Since independence in 1957 more than 47% in labor market! 5.5% in professional category 4.5% in legislative, senior officer and management positions Perceived as successful?

Research Questions What factors influenced women’s perception of success at the workplace? What factors are perceived by women to hinder their success at the workplace? Profile of a successful woman in Malaysia?

Research Objectives To identify the factors that determine women’s perception of success at the workplace To identify the factors that hinder women from being successful at the workplace To unearth the profile of a successful woman in Malaysia

Benefit of Research Findings? Pool of skilled workers getting smaller Attract and retain women at the skilled and higher earning groups

Literature Review Factors that Contribute Toward Success? –Individual motivation –Ability –Lucky circumstances –Work harder & perform better –Intelligent juggling of work and family demands –Sacrifice family in favor of career –Investment in cultural capital Improve educational level Modification to speech and behavior

Barriers? Factors that are barriers towards success? –Internal –External

Barriers-Internal? Internal? –Psychological phenomenon Cultural beliefs Societal attitudes –Inept at using career development strategies Self-advertising Career planning Networking Mentoring

Barriers-External External? –Educational segregation –Occupational segregation Placed in jobs that are supportive Excluded from functional aspects of business organization –Men’s prejudice towards women Sexual harassment –Work style or company culture that is masculine, aggressive, competitive and demanding long hours at work –Male networks & peer similarities –Work-family balance

Profile of a Successful Woman? First-born or only child Supportive parents Good schooling High internal locus of control High need for achievement Autonomy High degree of self efficacy More innovative Single minded Striving to meet ambitions Persistent Professional Honest Are themselves

Theoretical Framework Work-family interference Influence tactic –using connection –instrumental dependency –self-enhancement –using charm –rational persuasion –upward appeal Intrinsic need –achievement need –power need Self efficacy Self monitoring Perception of subjective success Independent variables Dependent variable

Our Respondents? Some Background…(demographic profile)

How do Respondents Perceive The Following Variables? Work-family interference – FIW(slightly disagree), WIF (slightly agree) Influence tactic –using connection –instrumental dependency –self-enhancement –using charm –rational persuasion –upward appeal intrinsic need- higher need for achievement compared to power –achievement need –power need Tactic employed most

How do Respondents Perceive The Following Variables? self efficacy- between slightly agree to agree self monitoring –self-monitoring –lack of self monitoring support subjective success Honest and forthright Spouse support Wavering between undecided to slightly agree

What Factor has Significant Influence on Perception of Success? Self-efficacy ( keep trying until I can, when decision made go right to work, failure just makes me try harder, certain that I can make plans work) has a significant influence on perceived subjective success

What Factors are Perceived as Hindrances Towards Success? Family orientation/involvement (4.65) submissiveness (4.09) non-rational (3.98) same sex jealousy (3.88) complacent(3.77) lack of career orientation (3.65) lack of ambition (3.48) lack of self worth (3.35)

Profile of Successful Woman in Malaysia? strong father figure (3 out of the four women said so) good support from parents good schooling high need for achievement high level of self efficacy mentorship networking lack of self monitoring creative and innovative positive attitude-see an obstacle as an opportunity strategically managed work-family nexus (3 out of four)

Conclusion? Women have need for achievement and power;Women do not lack ambition or self worth;Women are self efficacious: are a talent pool to be tapped! Women are heavy at middle level management and perceive WIF: take work home? Not enough time for family? Affects perception of success which vacillates between undecided to slightly agree: will halt move up the corporate ladder! Work family nexus needs to be balanced. Organizations need to get involved. How? –Flexible work hours, job rotation, organization culture to change etc