An exploration of the extent to which remote working has contributed to the ‘‘Maternal Wall’’ at leadership level in an organisation in the wholesale and retail industry in Ireland

Kennedy, Niamh (2022) An exploration of the extent to which remote working has contributed to the ‘‘Maternal Wall’’ at leadership level in an organisation in the wholesale and retail industry in Ireland. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This research presents the results from an exploratory study which aimed to investigate the extent to which remote working has contributed to the ‘Maternal Wall’ at leadership level in the wholesale and retail industry, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland. A growing concern amongst researchers, alongside a prominent gap in literature provided the rationale for the exploration of this topic. This study was designed to gain a greater understanding of how maternal biases, or the ‘‘Maternal Wall’’ inhibits women from climbing the corporate ladder to achieve their full potential. To do this, the researcher examined the current relevant literature which contextualised the impact that gender and parental status can have on the career progression of women. The literature produced findings that were critical to the development of the study. The findings were then analysed and provided the basis upon which the research interview questions were formed. Through semi structured interviews the thoughts and perspectives of women at leadership level, with at least one child aged 0-14, were obtained. Following the qualitative research, the outputs were analysed and categorized thematically. From this analysis, five main themes emerged: Work Environment, Gender Roles, Presenteeism, Career Development and the Maternal Wall. These five themes were discussed sequentially in conjunction with previous studies and the literature reviewed. The dissertation then provides a thorough synopsis of the findings in regard to the contribution that remote working has had on the “Maternal Wall” at leadership level in an organisation in the wholesale and retail industry in Ireland. Finally, the research concludes with recommendations which can be used to supplement the continued success of remote working arrangements while dismantling the presence of the metaphorical “Maternal Wall” in the wholesale and retail industry in Ireland.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > Ireland H Social Sciences > HM Sociology > Leadership H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Leadership H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Specific Industries > Retail Industry H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Classes of Labour > Women and Work
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	22 Jul 2022 12:29
Last Modified:	22 Jul 2022 12:35
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5689

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