WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN THE ACADEMIA: A VOICE OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS

Abstract

Considering the stereotypical views that affect women who aspire to high-ranking leadership roles in higher education, this study determines the perceptions of teachers about their role in the academic. This study was qualitative that invited women and men in higher education institutes to participate in the interviews to determine their understanding about the representation of women leadership roles in higher education. Followed by the open-ended interview questions about the evident factors that influence the workplace behavior, and barriers that represent the prejudice toward women as leaders. Analysis performed by NVIVO indicated that women leadership role in the academia is challenging as they avail less opportunities to demonstrate their role as administrator. Due to the stereotypical views of society regarding women empowerment and leadership role, women attitude towards their leading positions in career is relatively marginalized. The study revealed that stereotypical views of female behavior had little impact on the successful careers of the participants. The participants revealed little significance to experiences with social role expectations and characteristics of women leadership. The participants’ perception of their success was due to merit; the recognition by others as having the qualities and skills to lead in a variety of positions.