EVALUATION OF WOMEN'S PERCEPTIONS OF CAREER BARRIERS ACCORDING TO DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to measure if the perception of women employees related with their career barriers differs according to demographic variables (age, marital status, number of children, education level, income level, position in the firm, number of the previous work places, and duration of working hours). The data that is necessary for this research were collected via survey method from Organized Industrial Zones located in Ankara. In order to measure career barriers, a scale consisting of 26 expressions developed by ?nand? et al (2009) was used. Survey forms were distributed to 600 women employees who were determined by simple random sampling method within 8 Organized Industrial Zones located in Ankara. In the first stage of the study, basic statistics were calculated that determine demographic characteristics of the sample on the basis of data obtained from female employees. While, in the second stage it was measured by using one way variance analysis whether there is a meaningful change in the perception of women employees according to the demographics variables. Finally for the third phase, validity and reliability analyses were performed accompanied with Explanatory Factor Analysis. As a result of the analyses, a meaningful difference was determined in their views on the status of gender stereotypes according to the martial status of women employees. In addition to this, according to their age status; differences were observed in their view related with duration of working hours, economic status and age status. This study is the first one to examine the relationship between the perception of women employees related with their career barriers and their organizational commitment to the enterprises on manufacturing industry. So, it?s expected that the findings will make an important contributions to the existing literature and organizations in manufacturing industry.