UNDERSTANDING GLASS CEILING CHALLENGES IN WOMEN’S CAREER DEVELOPMENT: A SUMMATIVE CONTENT ANALYSIS OF OPEN-ENDED RESPONSES

Abstract

Empowerment of economic status among women is one of the most significant tasks in any economy, as it provides them with the same positions in society and in the organizations where they work, enabling economic outcomes through their valuable participation in the economy. The glass ceiling (GC) describes the barriers that hinder women from attaining the same levels of power and success as men. Therefore, even though women are an important part of the economy, they still struggle with their career development due to various GC factors that interrupt their access to top decision-making and management positions in various industries. Thus, this study examines the GC factors affecting women’s career development among working women in the Colombo District. Accordingly, the study collected primary data through an online survey questionnaire, mainly open-ended responses, from 56 educated women working in both the government and corporate sectors, selected through purposive sampling. The analysis was conducted using qualitative summative content analysis, as it is appropriate for open-ended survey responses. The findings of the study revealed various family, organizational, cultural, individual, and gender-based factors that hinder women’s career development. Accordingly, the results of the current study help policymakers and organizations design and implement strategies to offer equal access and opportunities and empower women to achieve higher career success. Future research could examine other districts in Sri Lanka or a broader population to validate and expand these insights.