Gender-Specific Barriers Faced by Women in Attaining Leadership Positions at NMB Bank PLC

Authors

  • Onasia Mtui Business Management and Procurement Department, Institute of Accountancy Arusha
  • Solomon Muguba Education and Development Studies Department, Institute of Accountancy Arusha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59645/abr.v16i1.177

Abstract

The ongoing scarcity of women in leadership roles within Tanzania's banking sector is a pressing concern. Despite gender equality initiatives, substantial barriers persist in women's access to senior leadership positions. Focusing on NMB Bank PLC, this study explored the gender-specific barriers faced by women in attaining leadership positions at NMB Bank PLC. The study adopted an exploratory research design and employed a mixed research approach. The study encompasses 167 NMB PLC officials in Mwanza city, chosen using mixed sampling techniques. Data collected from surveys, interviews, and secondary sources were analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The study unveiled recognition of biases, balancing work and family commitments, and cultural norms as gender-specific leadership barriers. The study suggests that the bank can effectively eliminate gender barriers by adopting this holistic strategy, fostering an environment that empowers women in leadership roles for substantial organizational contributions. Future research should conduct cross-cultural studies to explore how diverse cultural norms influence gender perceptions and barriers, enhancing the understanding of this multifaceted issue.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

African Development Bank Group. 2020. Gender Equality in East Africa 2020: Progress and Opportunities. https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/gender-equality-east-africa-2020-progress-and-opportunities

Amankwah-Amoah, J., & Durugbo, C. 2020. Women in Leadership in Africa: A Review of the Literature, Research Agenda and Research Methods. Journal of Business Research, 118, 129-141.

Avolio, B. J., Walumbwa, F. O., & Weber, T. J. 2019. Leadership: Current theories, research, and future directions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 421-449.

Azizu, J. 2020. Cross-cultural differences in gender stereotypes about leadership traits. Journal of Social Issues, 6(2), 29-37.

Cata, A. 2018. The double bind dilemma for women in leadership: Damned if you do, doomed if you don't. Retrieved from https://www.catalyst.org/research/double-bind-dilemma-women-in-leadership/

Deloitte. 2021. Women in the Boardroom: A Global Perspective. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/risk/articles/women-in-the-boardroom5th-edition.html

Eagly, A. H., & Carli, L. L. 2017. Women and the labyrinth of leadership. Harvard Business Review, 859., 62-71.

Harvard Business Review. 2021. Women in Leadership: Charting a Course to Career Success. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2021/02/women-in-leadership-charting-a-course-to-career-success

HeForShe. 2022. Retrieved from https://www.heforshe.org/en

Ibarra, H. 2019. Personal networks of women and minorities in management: A conceptual framework. Academy of Management Review, 181., 56-87.

Ibrahim, A. I. 2019. Gender Inequality in Leadership Positions in Africa: A Comparative Analysis. Journal of Social and Political Sciences, 21., 16-25.

Karau, S. J. 2022. Role congruity theory of prejudice toward female leaders. Psychological Review, 1093., 573-598.

McKinsey & Company. 2020. Women in the Workplace 2020. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace-2020

More Than Me. 2020. Retrieved from https://www.morethanme.org/

Otobo, D. I., & Okolie-Osemene, E. 2019. Gender Inequality in the Nigerian Workplace: An Investigation of Women's Career Barriers. Gender and Behaviour, 173., 14115-14128.

Powell, G. N., Butterfield, D. A., & Parent, J. D. 202. Gender and managerial stereotypes: Have the times changed? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1074., 743-762.

Schein, V. E. 2021. A global look at psychological barriers to women's progress in management. Journal of Social Issues, 574., 675-688.

Tanzania Women Lawyers Association. 2017. Gender Discrimination and Harassment in Employment: A Report on Women’s Experiences in Tanzania. https://twla.or.tz/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GENDER-DISCRIMINATION-AND-HARASSMENT-IN-EMPLOYMENT-A-REPORT-ON-WOMEN%E2%80%99S-EXPERIENCES-IN-TANZANIA.pdf

Tasso, H. 2021. Backlash toward agentic women. Journal of Management, 282., 177-193.

United Nations Development Programme 2021. Gender Equality in Tanzania. https://www.tz.undp.org/content/tanzania/en/home/ourwork/sustainable-development-goals/gender-equality.html

United Nations Development Programme. 2019. Gender Equality in the Public Administration: How to Ensure Women's Equal Participation and Leadership in Public Administration. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/womens-empowerment/UNDP-Gender-Equality-in-the-Public-Administration.pdf

World Economic Forum. 2021. Global Gender Gap Report 2021. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/gender-gap-2021-report-100-years-pay-equality

Yamane, T. 1967. Statistics, An Introductory Analysis, 2nd Ed.. New York: Harper and Row.

Downloads

Published

2024-06-21

How to Cite

Mtui, O. ., & Muguba, S. . (2024). Gender-Specific Barriers Faced by Women in Attaining Leadership Positions at NMB Bank PLC. The Accountancy and Business Review, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.59645/abr.v16i1.177

Issue

Section

Articles