Challenges for female international managers: evidence from Europe

Abstract

Previous research has estimated that only 3 percent of international managers are women. From the limited extant research in international human resource management in Europe it is evident that female managers are not progressing to senior management positions at comparable rates to their male counterparts. This paper highlights the additional challenges (or barriers) that female managers are faced with in their career progression to international managerial positions. Based on extensive empirical research, the paper illustrates the barriers which the interviewees believe limit women’s international career opportunities. The paper also outlines the implications these barriers have for international human resource management in practice and makes some recommendations for future international human resource management policies.