Barriers to career advancement of black professionals into managerial positions in a steel manufacturing company in South Africa
Date
2015
Authors
Makena, Andrew Senakangwedi
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to identify barriers to the career advancement of Black
professionals into managerial positions. The need for the study stems from the current
statistics reported in the 2012/2013 Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) Report,
showing that there is still disparity in the representation of Black professionals at
management level. The study was limited to the manufacturing industry.
A qualitative study was conducted at a South African steel manufacturing company which is
not meeting the Employment Equity (EE) target as far as such representation is concerned.
One-on-one interviews were conducted on 12 Black professionals in the professionally
qualified category as defined by the CEE reporting i.e. a level below senior management.
The analysis was done on the basis of the participant’s background, exposure in the steel
manufacturing environment, age and job level.
The findings indicate that EE policies are in place but the translation of policies into practical
means by Leadership is still a challenge due to the prevalent lack of congruence between
EE policies and the existing organisational culture. As such the environment is not
conducive to advancement of Blacks into managerial positions.
The study concludes that barriers to career advancement of Black professionals into
managerial positions will still be active and in force unless there is a drastic culture change
in support of transformation through implementation of the recommendations made.
There is a need for further research and this is proposed in order to gain an understanding
and to resolve the challenges currently faced.
Description
MBA Thesis 2015
Keywords
Executives, Black,Professional employees -- South Africa,Blacks -- Employment ,Affirmative action programs