“How do men and women conceptualise the
concept of Success?”
A Preliminary Finding
Ms. Adida Yang Amri adida@usm.my
Associate Professor Zainal Ariffin Ahmad zaba@usm.my
School of Management
Universiti Sains Malaysia
7/17/2016
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Research Questions
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
•How do individuals define success for themselves?
•How do individuals define a successful woman?
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
7/17/2016
Both questions require the researcher to delve into
understanding the individual’s perception of success and
how they view a successful woman.
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Significance of Study
Introduction
Significance of Study
Theoretical
Foundation
Research in this area tended to use male characteristics:
Power
Money
Status
Authority
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
= Measurement success = Male characteristics = Even when
the research were studying female subjects
Barley (1989)
Breiger (1995)
Stovel, Savage, & Bearman (1996)
Findings from this study = Add knowledge and
understanding in the area of gender and organisational
studies in Malaysia = An area that constantly evolves due to
changes in management style, economy, market and culture
that are influenced greatly via globalization.
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Significance of the Study
Introduction
Create a
motivating
& nurturing
work
environment
Significance of Study
Theoretical
Foundation
Need to…
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
7/17/2016
Essential to
fully utilize
HR of M’sia
to achieve
2020 goals
Minimize workfamily conflict
minimize workpersonal
development
conflicts
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How:
By
understanding
how men and
women define
success for
themselves
4
Literature Review
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Comparisons between genders have been made in a few studies, but
again from a career or work success perspective. Mainly focusing on how
men and women deal with stress at work and how they deal with work –
family or family – work conflict.
(Chusmir & Parker, 2001; Jensen & Towle, 1991a; Phyllis Moen, 2003).
Literature Review
Methodology
Successful Life
Successful Career
Studies were mainly quantitative, using surveys via pen and paper
method or over the phone surveys.
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Literature Review
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
work
Society
Family
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
=
S
U
C
C
E
S
S
As proposed by Miller (1986) the current male criteria for success
should change to encompass women’s concept of success (Gallos,
1989; Gilligan, 1982).
The definition of success needs to include not just what happens at
the work place but also the broader effect work has on the other
important social system of a person’s life. Which is the family and
society in general (J. N. Cleveland, 2005).
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Literature Review
Gaps in the Literature
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
There has not been a study looking at understanding, how individuals
define success for themselves and how would they define a successful
woman.
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
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Nor has there been any study looking at individuals working in large
national conglomerate and comparing the findings to individuals
working in a teaching hospital in Malaysia.
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Methodology
Research Sites
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
7/17/2016
A large national conglomerate and a teaching hospital.
Two reasons why these organizations were selected
Firstly, the education and development industry is the largest
employment sector in Malaysia and will continue to be the fastest
growing sector of the Malaysian economy.
Secondly, it is also the sector where there are a high percentage of
women employed at all levels of an organisation.
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Methodology
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
The respondents will be selected to be invited for this study based on
the crietrias set. Such as 5 years of working experience, must be
working full time, ethnicity, gender, must be Malaysians and position
in the company.
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Participation will be on a voluntary basis as they will be
invited to become respondents.
It is of course noted that the findings for this study only reflects the
opinions of a group of Malaysians from two specific organisations.
Nevertheless, findings from this study could still be used to provide some
insights into how Malaysians perceive success and how they view a
successful woman.
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Methodology
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
To ensure uniformity, core questions will be asked of every respondent,
thus increasing the validity of the data when it is used to compare and
contrast among the respondents involved.
Research Question
The interview questions looks at two dimensions of success.
Literature Review
•Success as the respondent defines it for themselves.
Methodology
•Success when linked with the definition of a successful woman.
Interview sessions lasted between one hour and twenty minutes to one
hour and forty five minutes.
Any interview context is a socially constructed event. Where 2 individuals are
interacting and many factors can influence the effectiveness of an interview
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Methodology
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Analysis Processes
Analysis focused on the content of the interview, on what was said
and not on how it was said.
Ideas analysis and themes identification that emerges from the
interview transcripts (Gee, 1993; Mishler,1995; Riessman,1993).
Content of the interviews was taken at face value and thus treated as
‘true experiences’ of the respondents.
Key to the analysis process is continuous reading and rereading of the
transcripts.
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Methodology
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
7/17/2016
As expected the story format was used by respondents to explain their
viewpoint.
However the analysis format used did not analyse the data using the
narrative approach but attention was on identifying key themes and / or
ideas that surfaces from the data.
The unit of analysis is the individual, as the objective of the study is
trying to understand the individual’s perception about the concept being
studied.
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Methodology
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Data analysis processes
Based on the 5 stages of data analysis as identified by (Ritchie &
Spenser, 1994; Sturges, 1999) which are:
•
•
•
•
•
Familiarization with data
Identifying a thematic framework or index
Indexing or Coding
Charting or building up a picture of the data as a whole with
reference to the coding system developed
Mapping and interpreting – defining concepts and creating
typologies and orientational categories.
All analysis was done manually as the numbers were manageable and
researcher felt more comfortable and closer to the data then when
using software such as Nvivo.
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Methodology
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
The process of reading and rereading the transcripts and listening
to the tapes provided much needed insights to the nuances of the
words spoken and the information given by the respondents.
Which may be missed or lost if a software was used at this stage.
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
7/17/2016
Notes made during the interviews and immediately after each
interview was used as references to jog memory and this made
the transcripts come ‘alive’ for the researcher during the analysis
phase.
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Methodology
Analysis
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Each transcript was analysed in-depth and went through a compare and
contrast exercise to find similarities and differences in perception among
the respondents. Each respondent treated as a unique case.
Another compare and contrast exercise was carried out to find any
similarities or differences that may exist between the two groups of
respondents categorised based on their organisation. At this point the
organisation will be treated as a case of its own.
Therefore, based on the analysis process used for this study, certain
aspects of the case study approach was used.
Aspects such as treating each respondent and the organizations involved
as a unique case or perhaps more accurately viewed as a multi site case
study.
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Methodology
Organising Data
Introduction
Transcripts was not transcribed at one hundred percent at verbatim.
Theoretical
Foundation
Minor parts of the interview such as the “ums…” coughing, uncompleted
words and laughter was not transcribed
Research Question
Literature Review
Where required the transcripts was translated from Bahasa Malaysia to
English. Transcripts were returned to respondents for approval.
Methodology
Transcripts was categorized first by organization then by gender.
For each research question the transcripts were categorized by gender and
analyzed. The second stage of analysis was to see if there were any
patterns that emerged that could be associated with ethnicity or age.
Any deviant cases was reanalyzed to ensure there are no gaps in the
analysis. Explanations and theories was referred to explain any deviancy.
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Methodology
Instrument
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
An interview protocol was developed consisting of five
parts with core and probing questions (Appendix 1):
Part A – Meaning of Success and Successful Woman
Literature Review
Methodology
Part B – Life Experiences and Perception of Success
Part C – How to Succeed in Organizations
Part D – Successful Women in the Workplace
Part E – Personal Success Stories
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Find ings
Table 1. Profile of Respondents
Organization A
(Teaching Hospital)
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Organization B (Large
national conglomerate)
Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent
Gender
Male
Female
11
11
50.0
50.0
11
11
50.0
50.0
Ethnicity
Chinese
6
27.3
1
4.5
Indian
4
18.2
2
9.1
Malay
12
54.5
19
86.4
Married
20
90.9
17
77.3
Single
2
9.1
5
22.7
20-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
0
6
5
11
0.0
27.3
22.7
50.0
5
13
4
0
22.7
59.1
18.2
0.0
12
6
0
4
54.5
27.3
0.0
18.2
19
1
0
2
86.4
4.5
0.0
9.1
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Marital
Findings
Age
Religion
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Islam
Buddhist
Christian
Hindu
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Find ings
Women on Success
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
• Common thread - Success is a woman’s ability to play all her roles
effectively and her ability to contribute to other’s well-being.
• 5 core themes emerged from the data: Happy family & marriage, Job
satisfaction, Have to work harder then men, Wearing Masks,
Spirituality and Work Ethics.
• Umbrella concept used ‘Well-Being of Self, Marriage, and Family’.
As it is able to capture the essence of all the themes that was
identified from the data set.
Definition of ‘Well-Being’ covers all aspects of the
physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well–being of
an individual.
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Find ings
Themes and Concept (22 Female Respondents)
Concept
Themes
Introduction
1
Well being of Self / Family /Marriage
Theoretical
Foundation
2
Spirituality / Ethical Values
Research Question
3
Job Satisfaction
Literature Review
4
Contribution to others/ Society
Methodology
5
Perceptions
experiences
Findings
7/17/2016
evolve
with
life
Well Being
6
Flexible work structure and hours
7
Recognition and respect
8
Wearing masks
9
Politicking / Public Relations
10
Have to work harder than men
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Well-being of self,
family & others
Happy family
and marriage
Job
Satisfaction
Successful
children
Flexible work
structure and
hours
Good
marriage
Recognition
and respect
from others
Have to work
harder than
men
Wearing
masks
Spirituality /
Ethics
Positive public
relation
politicking
Perception
evolve with
age
Contribution
to others /
society
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Find ings
Men on Success
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
• common thread - “Achievement”:- achieving position and status,
financial security, ability to balance religious obligations with their
other personal and professional responsibilities, gaining respect from
others, contributing to society and maintaining their family to a good
standard of living.
Methodology
Findings
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• Each theme had at its core, the element of “Achievement”
however there were differences to the type of achievement that was
linked to the concept of success
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Find ings
Themes and Concept (22 Male Respondents)
Concept
Themes
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
1
Decision Making Role
2
Financial security/ Material wealth
3
Spirituality/Religious obligations
4
Role model for family/ community
5
Respect from others
6
Well being of self / family
7
Perceptions evolve due to life experiences
8
Contributing to society
9
Achieving goals
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Achievement
23
Achievement
Respect
Financial
Security
Role model for
Family &
society
Material
Wealth
Contributing
To
Society
Well being
self & family
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Decision
Making Role
Achieving
Goals
Perception
evolve with
age
Spirituality
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Find ings
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
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• Based on the first research question “What is your definition
of success for yourself?”, analysis of the data thus far has
generated 5 common elements of success identified by both
male and female respondents.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Well-being of self and family,
spirituality,
contribution to society,
perception evolve due to life experiences,
recognition and respect.
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Find ings
Happiness
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• Respondents used the word “happy” to define success. However
defining the concept of “happy” was a problem for most.
•They linked “happy” with the ability “to do what you want, when
you want”, “the ability to have choices or options.”
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
•This in the end boils down to having the financial means to have the
choices. Which implies you would have to work and earn enough
money in order to create future choices for yourself.
•Until then, the individual views work as a means to an end only.
Work enjoyment or satisfaction will have to be put on hold until
financial stability has been reached.
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Find ings
Happiness
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• Female respondents: ensuring children and respective spouse felt
that they were being loved and cared for.
•“Happiness of self” was from the aspect of being able to feel that
one has successfully played the role of mother, wife and employee.
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
• Male respondents: “happiness of family and spouse” was focused
more on providing the material needs of daily life such as a nice safe
home, good education and paying for the providers of household
services (maid, child care, schools, gardener, drivers, etc.), and able
to provide entertainment and holidays.
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Find ings
Happiness
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
• Males ensure- children were being cared for in the best way, the
Asian mentality of mothers, being the main person responsible for
managing the family and bringing up the children, cuts across all
ethnicity in Malaysia.
• No mention of their need to be involved in their children’s early
years of development.
• It was the family’s financial security and physical safety and
comfort that were of paramount importance and if it was provided this
was one of the symbols of a successful man.
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Findings
Happiness
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
•Male respondents did not focus on the ability to have options as an
important element of success.
•Instead they focused on doing well in their careers. “A steady
climb up the corporate ladder” as one male respondent put it is an
important marker of personal success.
•Achieving success is having recognition and respect from not just
those that work with you but from others outside of the
organisation is also important.
“Being recognized for what I have done in my field. To be respected
by your community and viewed as a role model is a sign of success”
(Male Respondent 3/ Org. B)
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Findings
Spirituality
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
• One common element found was spirituality. It was an important
factor that influences thinking about success regardless of ethnicity.
•Respondents found balancing religious demands with work demands
and family responsibilities to be the main issue they were grappling
with.
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
“For me personally, success means that I am successful in my career, in handling
my family of course, and spiritual wise as well. But that is the most difficult thing
to do. How do we juggle all the three aspects together? It is a challenge.”
(Female Respondent 1/ Org. B)
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Findings
Spirituality
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
• Women using their religious beliefs as a buffer for handling the
denial of a reward in the work place, thereby cushioning the
disappointment and their inability to over come the discrimination
and unfairness in the workplace.
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
• Protecting self-esteem and sense of ‘Self Well-being’. Even though
the organizational policies are suppose to be gender neutral, the
implementation of the policies are not.
•Religion is a moderator in highly stressful situations as it provides
the individual with a tool as part of their coping strategy (Noraini,
1999; Williams, Larson, Buckler, Heckmann, & Pyle, 1991).
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Find ings
Spirituality
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• The inability of the women in this study to control the reward
system in their work environment does seem to fit into this
category
Literature Review
Methodology
• Perhaps the reasons why women focus their definition of success
on aspects outside of the realm of work and careers.
Findings
•Focusing on their efforts at the home front, an arena where they
have more control over the factors that influence or determine their
success.
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Find ings
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
Spirituality
•For the male respondents, as a majority of the respondents were
Muslims the main focus was on fulfilling their obligations as a good
Muslim father, husband, son, employee and thereby able to play the
role of leader of the family and the community effectively.
•This would then result in a good public image, which will then lead
to respect from others.
•This may explain the over whelming need of the male respondents
to be respected by others and to be a role model as an essential aspect
of their definition of success for themselves.
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Findings
Contribution to Society
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
• Female respondents states that position and high pay was not the
main aim.
• A high position would enable you to help others or influence the
decisions in the organisation to help others or the society at large.
It was means to an end and not an end in itself.
• What was more important was that their work was satisfying and
they were able to contribute to society through their work
These elements were not mentioned by the male respondents.
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Findings
Recognition & Respect
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
• Recognition by others was seen as very important among the male
respondents.
• As it gives the individual the public seal of approval. Being a role
model is the community’s indication that you are seen as successful
and thus respected.
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
“As a leader in your community. You know others can see you as an
example in the community” (Male Respondent 3/ Org. B).
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Findings
Recognition & Respect
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
•The usual trappings of career success were very important for the
male respondents in order to create the image of success and from
there to become a role model for others.
•As mentioned earlier “gaining respect from others” was rated as one
of the most important aspect of success for oneself. Regular
promotions and pay rises are seen as essential targets to be achieved,
when defining the concept of success.
Findings
•Fulfilling religious obligations was cited as important but it is
linked to projecting the right image to the public and to become a
role model for their children and others. This is linked to the need to
be a role model in the community and for the family.
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Findings
Life Experiences & Perception of Success
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
• A life changing experience and life experiences have a major
impact on how individuals define success.
• “Workers at different life stages have different skills, different
responsibilities, different resources, different opportunities, and
different prospects for the future. Thus it is expected for them to have
different perceptions of success”. (Asplund, 1988; Catherine Marshall,
1985; Phyllis Moen, 2003; Sturges, 1999).
Findings
•The perception of success changed from one that focused on
materialism and social status to a definition of success that focused on
internal happiness, personal growth and development.
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Findings
Life Experiences & Perception of Success
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
“When I first started work, work was very important to me. My
identity is related to my work, now I’m fifty three, to me I find that it is
not that important anymore. I do not want to be at the top anymore.”
(Female Respondent 1/Org.A)
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
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“I am at a different time in my life and that influences me too. If
you had met me ten years ago my answers would have been
different. I was focus on money then as that was the main goal.”
(Male Respondent 20/ Org. B)
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
•Respondents found it relatively easy to describe the attributes of a
successful man but difficult to describe a ‘successful woman’.
• Over 60% of the total respondents tended to provide only male
examples when asked to name three or more persons that they
consider to be successful.
• Individuals regularly cited as being successful people are, Tun
Mahathir, Nelson Mandela, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar, and their own
fathers.
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• The male examples given were characterized as role models,
selfless, tough, passionate in their work, willing to sacrifice self,
emotionally and mentally strong, have power of influence, and
respected by others.
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
•Material wealth, good education, an impressive job title and vast
responsibilities were the main elements of the description.
• However no mention was made about how these men rated in
playing their roles as husbands, sons or fathers.
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
• Only a handful of the 44 respondents were able to provide names
of public female figures or females they knew of personally that
they considered as successful individuals.
• Regardless of gender or ethnicity, success for a woman was
primarily based on how well she plays the role of wife, daughter and
mother, and if she works, the role of employee or superior.
•She has to be seen as effective in all these roles and only then she is
seen as successful. Her standing in the community is also judged.
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• For a man, if he has a successful career he is already seen as
successful. Since a successful career is linked with the role of being
a good provider for the family, this in turn makes the man a good
role model for the community.
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
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“We (society) unconsciously focus on the external role of the
man. His contribution to society. Women, we focus on their
internal contribution.” (Male Respondent 12/ Org. B)
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
•A female example frequently given was Datin Seri Wan Azizahreasons:her ability to play the role of a good Muslim woman, she
was loyal to her husband and stood by his side, able to look after
her children well and she consistently maintained a dignified
public persona, during her husband’s imprisonment.
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
•Her professional qualification as an Opthalmologist and being a
respected politician in her own right was not mentioned as her
reasons for being seen as successful
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
•Regardless of gender or ethnicity, the traditional sex roles of the
female as wife and mother is still seen as the most important role a
woman plays.
•All other roles are subservient to it and are modified accordingly.
This supports Bets and Fitzgerald’s (1987) observation that whereas
“marital status has little bearing on men’s career development, it is
an important variable influencing the career development of
women”.
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
•Based on past studies, the male characteristics of success such as
power, material wealth, status in the organisation and authority are
how men view the concept of success.
•Thus far, data from this study is showing that material wealth is
not reflective of all the male respondents in this study. This is not
to say that material wealth is not important for the male
respondents, but it is tempered with the need for a stable family
life, happy and successful children and a happy self.
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
•This change may have occurred as women are now entering the work
force and holding senior positions and/or have the opportunities to
earn as much or even more then their male counterparts, thus
releasing their male partner from having the total responsibility of
sole bread winner.
•This in turn, allows men to focus their energy on other more
personal, emotional, and spiritual needs and not just on achievement
of financial stability.
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Findings
The Essence of a Successful Woman
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• However as mentioned earlier the societal expectations of how
men and women should behave does influence the daily
interactions of the organisation’s members.
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
“Women are expected to be more submissive. For women who have
leadership talents or one holding leadership posts, they need to be extra
tactful and diplomatic to be able to get around the egos and the pride.”
(Male Respondent 15/ Org. A)
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
“Easier to give men instructions and if you need them to do extra time,
that is also easy.” (Male Respondent 6/ Org. A)
“Men are good at taking opportunities. They will find ways and means
to get as much benefits as they can.” (Female Respondent 8/ Org. B)
Methodology
Findings
“Males tend to work less but they want the most. The females will slog
like mad and have to show three times more effort to become successful.”
(Female Respondent 5/ Org. B)
Overall respondents agreed that women do work
harder, are more meticulous, and careful in their work.
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• One argument could be that, women work harder but not smarter.
Women do not have the skills to market themselves or establish
good networks in order to be noticed - ‘To be seen at the right place
at the right time.’
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
• Kelly, Germaine, and Horn (1991), “Women tend to pay more
attention to details while men focus on the larger picture”.
• Women are said not to strategize their career proactively, they do not
plan.
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
“Men are driven into getting the job done and not worry so much of
people’s personal reaction to them. Women tend to worry about people’s
opinion about them and how people perceived them. While men just do it
and be happy about it.” (Male Respondent 2/ Org. B)
“Women think it is very important to get on with the people they work
with.” (Female Respondent 14/ Org. A)
Findings
Created an image of women as being indecisive and weak or just
plain slow, thus they are not seen as a potential leader or manager.
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
“In my experience it is generally easier to manage men. Because they
are more flexible, they do not worry about what other people think
about them quite so much.” (Male Respondent 3/ Org. B)
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
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“Among the young women, there can be a hot bed of intrigue and all
sorts of things going on. There can be undercurrents. It doesn’t
happen with men.” (Male Respondent 15/ Org. A)
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
•Focus is on how hard working the women are, how they are
easier to manage and how women do not deviate from instructions
nor do they question instructions.
•Women are thus viewed as good, loyal employees and followers
but there was no mention of them having the potential to be
leaders.
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
• Women general have to work or perceived to work at least twice as
hard as men before they can be considered as successful as men.
• Source of this perception: Organizations are run by men and that the
traditional notion that women are not as good as men still holds.
• Generally male managers in the sample agreed that it was easier
to deal with male employees as they did not have to deal with the
emotional side of things, and no need to consider family needs
when requesting for extra time at work.
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Findings
Men & Women in Organisations
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
• Emotions the major stumbling block for women in the work
place; taking too long to make decisions, needing people to
like them, bringing to work personal problems, being too
sensitive and trying to get a consensus before implementing a
decision.
Literature Review
Methodology
• With the added responsibilities of family on their shoulders,
women have to spread energy in both work and family spheres.
Findings
•One of the main factors or barriers why women may not be flying
high at work, “their energy was spread too thin.”
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Findings
Wearing Masks
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
• The need to keep roles separate and not impinging on one another
was a great concern for these women, as each role had its own set of
acceptable behaviours and communication style. Must adjust their
persona in order to fit in with the social expectations of a particular
role.
• Women in leadership positions had to be careful in how they played
the role of ‘Boss’ in the office. Stereotyping: -highly emotional,
sensitive to criticisms, fussy, likes nit picking, overly controlling, does
not trust subordinates, likes to micro manage, fanatical, and tends to go
by the letter of the law.
• Very apparent at research site A (teaching hospital). Having to
conform to the social expectations and in some cases had to re-learn
new social behaviours and dress codes while in the locality.
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Findings
Wearing Masks
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
7/17/2016
• For women who were not in a supervisory or leadership capacity,
there is a more subtle need for role adjsutment but there are
overlapping behaviours that spills over from work to home or vice
versa.
• While at work they can still play the subservient or less aggressive
role a nurturing role, which is very similar to their role outside of
the work arena.
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Findings
Wearing Masks
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
• Having to constantly modify one’s behaviour depending on the
social situation, may create what is known as role overload or role
strain.
• The women did not discuss the negative aspects of this, as it was
treated as a normal occurrence and managed on a daily basis.
Methodology
Findings
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Conclusions
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
•It is noted that the findings only reflected the opinions of a group
of 44 Malaysians from two specific organisations. Nevertheless,
findings from this study could still be used to provide some insights
into how Malaysians perceive success and how they defined a
successful woman.
Research Question
Literature Review
Methodology
Findings
Conclusions
7/17/2016
• The contemporary woman in Malaysia is constantly walking this
balance of needing to meet the obligations of the cultural and
religious based role of a woman and the demands and challenges of
a dynamic work culture.
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Conclusions
Introduction
Theoretical
Foundation
Research Question
Literature Review
• Religion or spirituality, regardless of ethnicity, seems to be the
main source of strength and motivation for these women to
continue playing their roles effectively.
• Their religious values keeps their work ethic high and helps
them define the work that they do as having either direct or
indirect contribution to others or to the society in general.
Methodology
Findings
Conclusions
7/17/2016
•
This element of spirituality have not been cited as having such a strong
influence on women’s behaviour or perceptions in previous studies
(Chusmir & Parker, 2001; Jensen & Towle, 1991b; Sturges, 1999).
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Bio Index Card [BIC]
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bio-data of Respondents
Please fill this bio data form and return it to the interviewer immediately.
Age 20-30 31-40 41-50 51-60.
Marital status
Single Married Divorced
Number of children
Number of children age:
Below 6
7- 10
11-16
17-20
21+
Position/post
Number of years in this organization
Total number of years you have worked
Ethnicity
Malay
Chinese Indian
Others
Gender
Male
Female
Highest academic / professional qualification
Note: All information will be kept confidential and will only be used for research analysis
purposes
• Have you lived or studied overseas?
Yes
No
– If YES, list the country/countries and length of stay:
•
Year(s)
•
Year(s)
•
Year(s)
•
Year(s)
• Note: All information will be kept confidential and will only be used for research analysis
purposes
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List of Core Interview Questions
Part A
The word success can mean different things to different people and it could cover a
variety of aspects of life. Can you tell me your understanding of the word success?
Usually we have a certain picture in our mind when we imagine a successful person;
what do you see when you picture a successful person in your mind?
Can you name 3 or 5 persons that you think fits your criteria of success
Do you think that the definition of success changes or is different for women? How and
why?
Part B
How has your work or life experiences influenced your perception of success?
What about your family or your parents ideas on what constitutes a successful person,
how has that influenced you?
What other factors do you think may have influenced the way you view the concept of
success?
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Part C
What do you need to be/do to be successful in your organization?
Do men and women need to do different things in order to be successful in your
organization?
Part D
How does this affect your motivation to be successful in this organization?
In what way has this organization’s definition of success influenced your attitude
towards your career development and success in general?
Where do you see women do better then men in the workplace?
Part E
How does your expectations for each of your child differ from one another?
Maybe if we look at instances in your career, where you can describe to me, one
incident or instances where you felt or someone else told you that you were
successful or good at?
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Author:
Phone:
Mobile:
Email:
Adida Yang Amri
(6)04 653 2898
(6)017 619 5223
adida@usm.my
2007
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End
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