Favorable Female Attributes in Relation to Career Challenges of Women Engineers in the Thai Construction Industry

Abstract

Although the number of women engineers is continually increasing in the booming Thai construction industry, not much study has been carried out on the career challenges they face. Information about the experiences of Thai female civil engineers collected through interviews showed that they encountered not only discrimination but also socio-cultural barriers in the construction industry. In-depth interviews were held with their superiors, colleagues and subordinates to identify attributes that were perceived to be favorable or desirable in women engineers for better work performance. All agreed that there were significant differences between women and men in terms of their roles and contributions to the workplace. Attention to detail, negotiation and coordinating ability, English communications skills, and being willing to listen to the opinions of others were perceived to be the top four favorable attributes of women engineers. As there is limited scope of jobs for female civil engineers in Thailand, their career advancement opportunities are affected. Nonetheless, there is considerable diversity in civil engineering, and women engineers could contribute more effectively to the Thai construction industry when employers take cognizance of the fact that there are specific favorable female attributes that could help women engineers play their roles more effectively.