GLASS BARRIERS IN THE WORKPLACE: A STUDY ON THE ATTITUDINAL EFFECTS OF GLASS CEILING AND GLASS CLIFF ON NAGPUR’S WOMEN WORKFORCE

Kanchan Kishor Tiwari; Shiney Chib

doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v6.iMILCSE.2025.4765

Authors

Kanchan Kishor Tiwari Research Scholar, Datta Meghe Institute of Management Studies, Nagpur
Dr. Shiney Chib Professor and Dean Academics, Datta Meghe Institute of Management Studies, Nagpur

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v6.iMILCSE.2025.4765

Keywords:

Glass Ceiling, Glass Cliff,, Women Workforce, Career Advancement, Workplace Barriers, Gender Inequality, Nagpur

Abstract [English]

There are still numerous gender-specific hurdles that women face in the professional realm, with the glass ceiling stifling career advancement, and the glass cliff placing women in unwarranted management positions. This investigation explores the attitudinal impression of these phenomena on women professionals in Nagpur, and influences on Career Aspiration, Job Satisfaction, and Professional Resilience. The quantitative research design was implemented, and data was composed through structured surveys from women employees from different sectors. The relationship between perceived workplace barriers and career advancement opportunities was determined using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The studies show that the glass ceiling denies advancement opportunities, while women are pushed into high-risk leadership roles with insufficient support, the glass cliff. The findings underscore the importance of policy changes and workplace reforms to create a more equitable workspace. Future studies should examine intersectional identity factors impacting these barriers and the influence of mentorship on career progression.

References

Alkadry, M. G., & Tower, L. E. (2006). Unequal pay: The role of gender. Public Administration Review, 66(6), 888-898. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2006.00656.x

Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (1994). Shatter the glass ceiling: Women may make better managers. Human Resource Management, 33(4), 549-560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.3930330405

Arvate, P. R., Galilea, G. W., & Todescat, I. (2018). The queen bee: A myth? The effect of top-level female leadership on subordinate females. The Leadership Quarterly, 29(5), 533-548. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2018.03.002

Banker, D. V. (2017). Women in leadership: A scenario in the Indian higher education sector. In Riding the New Tides - Navigating the Future through Effective People Management (pp. 213-223).

Broner, C. K., & Asselmeier, A. (2013). Men, women, & the glass escalator. Women on Business.

Chakrabarti, G. (2013). The Indian women breaking through the glass ceiling. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-india-24875473/the-indian-women-breaking-through-the-glass-ceiling

Chi, W., & Li, B. (2008). Glass ceiling or sticky floor? Examining the gender earnings differential across the earnings distribution in urban China, 1987–2004. Journal of Comparative Economics, 36(2), 243-263. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jce.2007.12.001

Cotter, D., Hermsen, J., Ovadia, S., & Vanneman, R. (2001). The glass ceiling effect. Social Forces, 80(2), 655-681. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.2001.0091

Derks, B., van Laar, C., Ellemers, N., & de Groot, K. (2011). Gender-bias primes elicit queen-bee responses among senior policewomen. Psychological Science, 22(10), 1243-1249. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611417258

Draulans, V. (2003). The glass ceiling: Reality or myth? Ethical Perspectives, 10(1), 66-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2143/EP.10.1.503871

Gupta, S. (2018). Glass ceiling in the 21st century: Women in management. International Journal of Management Studies, 3(5), 83-93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18843/ijms/v5i3(5)/13

Harvey, C. (2018). When queen bees attack: Women stop advancing—Recognizing and addressing female bullying in the workplace. Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, 32(5), 1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-04-2018-0048

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. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0730888402239326

Imran, A. J. (2013). Perception of the glass ceiling in educational institutions: Evidence from Pakistan. World Applied Sciences Journal, 23(5), 628-634.

Katuna, B. M. (2014). Breaking the glass ceiling? Gender and leadership in higher education. Doctoral Dissertations, 51.

Kee, H. J. (2006). Glass ceiling or sticky floor? Exploring the Australian gender pay gap. Economic Record, 82(259), 408-427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4932.2006.00356.x