The effect of race and gender in organizational leadership success: A study of African American women and their challenges to become leaders in corporate America.

摘要

This study focuses on the barriers of African American women in middle and upper management positions in corporate America. The study documents the voices of 15 African American women as their voices are heard detailing their perceptions of the barriers to their career advancement in corporate America. The purpose of this qualitative study was to look at the challenges and the obstacles African American women encounter as they attempt to advance their way through the world of work towards positions equal to their abilities, interest and sense of purpose. Central to the study was the influence that discrimination, racism and sexism played as women undertook the challenges found in the male corporate culture. This study examined these research questions: (1) What are the experiences of African American women in corporations that facilitate or hinder career advancement? (2) Are race, gender, and family responsibility detrimental to career advancement? (3) Is there a glass ceiling or concrete ceiling for African American managers? If so, how is it perceived and experienced? (4) Similarly, how are the perceived experiences of African American women managers alike or different from European American women managers? (5) Does the patriarchal system in the corporate culture work the same or differently for these managers? (6) And, do race and gender represent perceived barriers to breaking barriers between the two groups? The findings suggest that African American women executives experience racisms as a barrier to their advancement more so than just sexism alone as suggested in women studies.