Breaking the Twenty-Percent Barrier for Women in Leadership Positions in the Shipping and Logistics Industry in Johannesburg

Abstract

Breaking the twenty percent barrier for women in leadership positions refers to the current status quo within the Shipping and logistics industry. According to Elias (2018) who is an expert in this space suggest that females occupying leadership positions comprise less than twenty percent throughout all levels which is local, national, regional, and global. In this regard, the researcher aims to discover techniques that will elevate this rate towards reaching approximately thirty percent (30%) by 2030 and exceeding fifty percent (50%) by 2050. The aim of this research is to examine the factors behind the low percentage (20%) of women leaders in this sector. The research seeks to explore obstacles, limitations and contributory causes while also gauging perspectives from industry stakeholders through interviews. Additionally, there will be an examination into how different companies are addressing these challenges with strategies that prepare ambitious female employees for leadership roles effectively, including positioning them more prominently within organizations and creating empowering promotion opportunities so they can succeed when chances arise. Qualitative research and interpretivist approach were applied in selecting diverse participants. The selection criteria encompassed both men and women, where 67 percent were females and 33 percent were males, these individuals are occupying various positions such as executives, middle managers, entry, and non-managers. Furthermore, the researcher also interviewed participants from other sectors to determine if the under representation of women in leadership roles exist only within shipping and logistics sector or other sectors experience similar situations. The findings, which were conducted using thematic analysis reflected various yet similar trends, and the trend that occupied the most indicated that this sector is male dominated. It further revealed that men have more experience as they have been in this sector the longest, and automatically becoming the first choice when positions are open, though women are being considered for first entry and middle management positions and a slight percentage in leadership roles. 3 The conclusion was that most companies do not have their strategies readily available however they briefly touch on the plans they have in place to increase women’s representation to leadership roles without providing supporting information or firm strategies, nor timelines. This research offers recommendations that can be applied, aiming at boosting female participation in senior positions.