Maximising women's potential in the UK's retail sector
Journal article
Authors | Harris, Lynette, Foster, Carley and Whysall, P. |
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Abstract | Purpose – A defining characteristic of the UK retail sector is the high number of women it employs but there remains an enduring under-representation of women in its management positions. The majority of women in the industry work part-time and this paper explores the factors that impact upon the career progression. Approach – One thousand questionnaires were completed by store staff in three leading retailers supported by interviews with store staff and SME retailers in the UK’s East Midlands region. Findings – The study revealed continuing barriers to career progression for women working part-time in retailing. Despite family friendly employment policies becoming an increasingly important feature of modern work organisations, career progression was informed by a traditional concept of a career based on full-time working. Research Limitations - the study was limited to one sector, there is a need for further studies into women’s career progression in other sectors reliant on female employment. Practical implications - the findings have implications for promotion policies, training and development provision and line management practices if retailers are to maximise the potential of the women they employ. Originality/Value – The findings, based on both quantitative and qualitative data, suggest that retailing is an industry where a significant number of women are working below their potential despite organisational policies supportive of diversity and equality of opportunity. |
Purpose – A defining characteristic of the UK retail sector is the high number of women it employs but there remains an enduring under-representation of women in its management positions. The majority of women in the industry work part-time and this paper explores the factors that impact upon the career progression. Approach – One thousand questionnaires were completed by store staff in three leading retailers supported by interviews with store staff and SME retailers in the UK’s East Midlands region. Findings – The study revealed continuing barriers to career progression for women working part-time in retailing. Despite family friendly employment policies becoming an increasingly important feature of modern work organisations, career progression was informed by a traditional concept of a career based on full-time working. Research Limitations - the study was limited to one sector, there is a need for further studies into women’s career progression in other sectors reliant on female employment. Practical implications - the findings have implications for promotion policies, training and development provision and line management practices if retailers are to maximise the potential of the women they employ. Originality/Value – The findings, based on both quantitative and qualitative data, suggest that retailing is an industry where a significant number of women are working below their potential despite organisational policies supportive of diversity and equality of opportunity. | |
Year | 2007 |
Journal | Employee Relations |
Journal citation | 29 (5) |
Publisher | Emerald |
Bradford | |
ISSN | 0142-5455 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1108/01425450710776308 |
Web address (URL) | http://hdl.handle.net/10545/620766 |
http://hdl.handle.net/10545/621007 | |
hdl:10545/621007 | |
Publication dates | 2007 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 09 Nov 2016, 12:52 |
Deposited | 22 Nov 2016, 16:38 |
Contributors | Nottingham Trent University |
https://repository.derby.ac.uk/item/9509z/maximising-women-s-potential-in-the-uk-s-retail-sector
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