Acta academica karviniensia 2025, 25(2):5-20 | DOI: 10.25142/aak.2025.008


Obstacles Faced by Female Employees in Male-Dominated Sectors: Evidence from Turkey

Merve Gözde Durmaz1, Benan Arda2, Yeşim Monus3
1 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Ezine Food Specialization Organized Industrial Zone Vocational School, Balıklı Mücavir, Balıklı/Ezine/Çanakkale, Çanakkale-Center, 17000, Türkiye
2 Çanakkale-Center, 17000, Türkiye
3 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale Social Sciences Vocational School, Barbaros, Terzioglu Campus, 17020 Canakkale Center/Canakkale, Çanakkale-Center, 17000, Türkiye

This study investigates the obstacles faced by female employees working in male-dominated sectors in Turkey, along with the underlying reasons and consequences of these obstacles. To achieve this aim, a qualitative research design was adopted, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 blue- and white-collar female employees from various sectors, including defense, engineering, administration, justice, labor, finance, and technical services. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling method to ensure diversity across occupations and organizational contexts. Thematic content analysis was applied to the interview data using the MAXQDA software. The findings reveal that women working in male-dominated sectors experience a variety of challenges, such as discrimination, limited career advancement, physical difficulties, lack of family support, and social stereotyping. Moreover, the study identifies both individual and organizational factors that influence women’s willingness to remain or change professions. Positive and negative approaches toward female employees, as well as practical suggestions to reduce gender-based discrimination, are also presented. The results emphasize the importance of organizational and societal awareness regarding gender inequality in Turkey’s labor market. The study offers practical recommendations for policymakers and sector representatives to develop gender-inclusive strategies that prevent sexism in the workplace and promote sustainable sectoral improvement.

Klíčová slova: female employees, gender discrimination, male-dominated sectors, qualitative research, sexism in employment, Turkey, workplace inequality.
JEL classification: J16, J81, M54

Vloženo: 8. říjen 2025; Revidováno: 7. listopad 2025; Přijato: 3. prosinec 2025; Zveřejněno: 10. prosinec 2025  Zobrazit citaci

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Durmaz MG, Arda B, Monus Y.
Obstacles Faced by Female Employees in Male-Dominated Sectors: Evidence from Turkey. Acta academica karviniensia. 2025;25(2):5-20. doi: 10.25142/aak.2025.008.
Sdílet...
Stáhnout citaci
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Zobrazit celý článek

    Reference

    1. Acker, J. (1990). Hierarchies, jobs, bodies: A theory of gendered organizations. Gender & Society, 4(2), 139-158. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    2. Adair, J. (2005). Kişkirtici liderlik: büyük liderlerden öğretiler. Bursa, Alteo Yayincilik.
    3. Akgün, D. (2023). Erkek egemen çalişma ortaminda, kadinlarin karşilaştiklari sorunlar ve engeller: Kadin güvenlik görevlileri üzerine bir alan araştirmasi. Yüksek Lisans Tezi, (İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü), İstanbul.
    4. Albrecht, J., Björklund, A., & Vroman, S. (2003). Is there a glass ceiling in Sweden?. Journal of Labor Economics, 21(1), 145-177. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    5. Ayoğul, H., & Baraz, A. B. (2020). Kadin çalişanlarin kariyer engelleri: Eskişehir'de bir araştirma. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (44), 13-27.
    6. Bakici, C., & Aydin, E. (2020). Türkiye'de Kadin Çalişanlarin İş Yaşam Dengesini Şekillendirmede Ataerkilliğin Rolü. Economics Business and Organization Research, 2(2), 82-98.
    7. Booth, A. L., Francesconi, M., & Frank, J. (2003). A sticky floors model of promotion, pay, and gender. European Economic Review, 47(2), 295-322. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    8. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. London: Sage Publications.
    9. Britton, D. M. (2000). The epistemology of the gendered organization. Gender & Society, 14(3), 418-434. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    10. Bulut, D., & Kizildağ, D. (2017). Cinsiyet ayrimciliği ve kadin insan kaynaklari yöneticilerinin kariyerleri üzerindeki etkileri. Journal of Management & Economics Research, 15(2). Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    11. Burger, J. M. (2021). Kişilik. Kaknüs Yayinlari: İstanbul
    12. Cabrera, E. F. (2009). Fixing the leaky pipeline: Five ways to retain female talent. People & Strategy, 32(1), 40- 46.
    13. Catalyst, inc. (2004). Advancing African-American women in the workplace: What managers need to know. Catalyst.
    14. Charles, N., & Aull Davies, C. (2000). Cultural stereotypes and the gendering of senior management. The Sociological Review, 48(4), 544-567. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    15. Cockburn, C. (1991). In the way of women: Men's resistance to sex equality in organizations. London: Macmillan. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    16. Coşkun, Ö. F. (2021). Kadinlarin kariyer yolculuklarindaki engellere metaforik bir bakiş. Nevşehir Haci Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi, 11(4), 2048-2062. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    17. Cresswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five traditions. Sage Publications.
    18. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
    19. Dalkiranoğlu, T. (2006). Çalişma yaşaminda kadin işgücü ve cinsiyet ayrimciliği: konaklama işletmelerinde bir uygulama. Yayinlanmamiş Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Eskişehir.
    20. Deveciyan, M. T. (2023). Topuklu ayakkabilardan çamurlu plastik çizmelere: erkek egemen sektörlerde kadin girişimciliği meri taksi deveciyan. İstanbul Üniversitesi Kadin Araştirmalari Dergisi, (27), 56-70. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    21. Ellemers, N., Van den Heuvel, H., De Gilder, D., Maass, A., & Bonvini, A. (2004). The underrepresentation of women in science: Differential commitment or the queen bee syndrome?. British Journal of Social Psychology, 43(3), 315-338. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    22. Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1989). Fourth generation evaluation. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
    23. Harvey, D. E., & Brown, D. R. (1996). An Experiential Approach to Organization Development. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
    24. Hassink, W. H. J., & Russo, G. (2010). The glass door: The gender composition of newly-hired workers across hierarchical job levels. IZA Discussion Papers, 4858, 1-27. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    25. Henley, W. R. (2010). Concrete ceiling phenomena: Senior leadership progression of african american women within the intelligence community. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Phoenix.
    26. Hulls, P. M., Richmond, R. C., Martin, R. M., Chavez-Ugalde, Y., & de Vocht, F. (2022). Workplace interventions that aim to improve employee health and well-being in male-dominated industries: a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 79(2), 77-87. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    27. Hultin, M. (2003). Some take the glass escalator, some hit the glass ceiling? Career consequences of occupational sex segregation. Work and Occupations, 30(1), 30-61. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    28. Ismail, M., & Ibrahim, M. (2008). Barriers to career progression faced by women: Evidence from a Malaysian multinational oil company. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 23(1), 51-66. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    29. Kadinin Güçlenmesi Strateji Belgesi ve Eylem Plani (2024-2028), https://ulusaleylem.aile.gov.tr/media/tgrg2fqd/kadinin-guclenmesi-strateji-belgesi-ve-eylem-plani-2024-2028.pdf, (Access date: 21.02.2025).
    30. Kalof, L., Dan, A., & Dietz, T. (2008). EBOOK: Essentials of social research. McGraw-Hill Education Open University Press: UK.
    31. Kanter, R. M. (1977). Men and women of the corporation. New York: Basic Books.
    32. Karaduman, C. G., & Ergun, A. (2018). Erkek egemen iş ortamlarinda kadin yöneticilerin deneyimleri ve stratejileri. Sosyoloji Araştirmalari Dergisi, 21(2), 114-143. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    33. Karakaya, Ş., & Reyhanoglu, M. (2020). Erkek egemen dünyada kadin yönetici olmak: Kadin yönetici çevresi üzerine bir araştirma. Journal of Politics Economy and Management, 3(1), 47-74.
    34. Korkmaz, H. (2014). Yönetim kademelerinde kadina yönelik cinsiyet ayrimciliği ve cam tavan sendromu. The Journal of Academic Social Science, (5), 1-14. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    35. Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985) Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    36. Martin, P. Y. (2006). Practising gender at work: Further thoughts on reflexivity. Gender, Work & Organization, 13(3), 254-276. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    37. Maskell-Pretz, M., & Hopkins, W. E. (1997). Women in engineering: Toward a barrier-free work environment. Journal of Management in Engineering, 13(1), 32-37. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    38. Mills, A. J. (2016). Gendering organizational analysis. London: Sage Publications.
    39. Narin, M., Marşap, A., & Gürol, M. A. (2006). Global kadin girişimciliğinin maksimizasyonunu hedefleme: uluslararasi arenada örgütlenme ve ağ oluşturma. Gazi Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 8(1), 65-78.
    40. O'Brien, W., Hanlon, C., & Apostolopoulos, V. (2023). Women as leaders in male-dominated sectors: A bifocal analysis of gendered organizational practices. Gender, Work & Organization, 30(6), 1867-1884. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    41. Özçelik, M. K. (2017). Çalişma hayatinda kadinin yeri ve kariyer gelişim engelleri. Akademik Sosyal Araştirmalar Dergisi, 5(52), 49-70. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    42. Palmer, Margaret & Beverly Hyman. (1993). Yönetimde kadinlar. (Çeviren: Vedat Üner). Rota Yayinlari.
    43. Parlaktuna, İ. (2010). Türkiye'de cinsiyete dayali mesleki ayrimciliğin analizi. Ege Akademik Bakiş, 10(4), 1217-1230. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    44. Raghuram, P. (2008). Migrant women in male-dominated sectors of the labour market: a research agenda. Population, space and place, 14(1), 43-57. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    45. Ridgeway, C. L. (2001). Gender, status, and leadership. Journal of Social Issues, 57(4), 637-655. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    46. Ryan, M. K., & Haslam, S. A. (2005). The glass cliff: Evidence that women are over-represented in precarious leadership positions. British Journal of Management, 16(2), 81-90. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    47. Siğri, Ü. (2018). Nitel araştirma yöntemleri. Beta Basim Yayim Dağitim, Ankara.
    48. Sneed, B. G. (2007). Glass walls in state bureaucracies: Examining the difference departmental function can make. Public Administration Review, 67(5), 880-891. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    49. Spinelli-De-Sa, J. G., Lemos, A. H. D. C., & Cavazotte, F. D. S. C. N. (2017). Making a career in a male-dominated field: the meaning of work for women employed in the financial markets. RAM. Revista de Administração Mackenzie, 18(4), 109-136. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    50. TÜİK İşgücü İstatistikleri, II. Çeyrek: Nisan-Haziran, 2025, https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Isgucu-Istatistikleri-II.-Ceyrek:-Nisan-Haziran,-202554070#:~:text=%C4%B0%C5%9Fsizlik%20oran%C4%B1%20erkeklerde%20%257%2C0,11%2C6%20olarak%20tahmin%20edildi.&text=%C4%B0stihdam%20edilenlerin%20say%C4%B1s%C4%B1%202025%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1,ile%20%48%2C9%20oldu., (Access date: 21.02.2025).
    51. Ulusal İstihdam Stratejisi Raporu (2025-2028), https://www.csgb.gov.tr/Media/y1vlqieo/ulusal-istihdam-stratejisi-2025-2028-1.pdf, (Access date: 21.02.2025).
    52. Wajcman, J. (1998). Managing like a man: Women and men in corporate management. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.
    53. Wise, S., & Bond, S. (2003). Work-life policy: does it do exactly what it says on the tin?. Women in management Review, 18(1/2), 20-31. Přejít k původnímu zdroji...
    54. World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2025, https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/WESO25_Trends_Report_EN.pdf, (Access date: 21.02.2025).
    55. Yalom, M. (2022). Antik çağlardan günümüze evli kadinin tarihi (A History of the Wife). Çitlembik Yayinlari: İstanbul.

    Zpět na obsah