Glass ceilings - a study into the barriers faced by aspiring professional black women in the South African Built Environment

• Main Author: Mpemba, Nyasha
• Other Authors: Le Jeune, Karen
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2019
• Subjects: Project Management
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/29780

The purpose and inspiration behind this research was to outline the barriers faced and hurdles that aspiring professional black women in the South African Built Environment face. These hurdles usually occur as black women work towards climbing the corporate ladder and establishing careers within executive leadership positions, when compared to their male counterparts. The main research objectives of the study were to specifically determine generic barriers to the career advancement of professional black women in the South African Built Environment. The study was also meant to outline mechanisms used by women in the built environment professions to break through the above the glass ceiling that aspiring young black females below the glass ceilings should be aware of to break through the glass ceiling. As such the study was delimited to aspiring black women in the South African Built Environment. Literature review touched on various aspects that pertain barriers faced by aspiring professional black women in the South African Built Environment. Issues such as the factors that contribute to the glass ceiling as well as mechanism that can be used to overcome the glass ceilings were critically reviewed. The research methodology of the study comprised the use of a qualitative research approach with structured interviews being the main data collection instrument. Interviewees were drawn from a diversity of professions within the South African Built Environment. The main research findings established that the majority of interviewees were able to comprehend the essence to the BBBEE legislations as it pertains to them. The majority of interviewees underestimated the appeal of networking in improving career prospects of black women in the South African Built Environment. None of the interviewees expressed that they have black women as their mentor. There appeared to be mixed feelings with respect to maintaining a work-life balance upon getting married with some expressing that they expect no differences in their work schedules whilst others highlight that they will have to adjust. Practical implications derived from the study are that, for black women to effectively break the glass ceilings in the South African Built Environment, they have to pass the criteria for high potential designation and executive positions. This criterion includes issues such as the development of a strategic fit between the aspiring black women and the strategic and financial goals of the built environment.