Why are women underrepresented in senior management? A study in the Turkish hospitality industry

Authors

  • Cansu Solmaz Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Turkey; ALTSO Tourism Vocational School. Email: cansu.solmaz@alanya.edu.tr
  • Rüya Ehtiyar Akdeniz University, Turkey, Tourism Faculty. Email: ehtiyar@akdeniz.edu.tr

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v39i.3100

Keywords:

gender, hospitality industry, role congruity theory, Turkey, women managers

Abstract

This study aims to establish the causes for underrepresentation of women in senior management positions in the hospitality industry in Turkey using role congruity theory. The study used the qualitative research method and included semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 women who are managers in the hospitality industry. The study identifies organizational, social, and individual factors that prevent women from rising to senior management positions. This study is crucial to demonstrate how the perceived incongruity between female gender roles and leadership roles hinders the representation of women in senior management. Further, the present study contributes to the literature and benefits hospitality professionals by revealing the challenges that women encounter in their journey to reach senior manager positions.

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Published

2025-01-15

How to Cite

Solmaz, C. ., & Ehtiyar, E. (2025). Why are women underrepresented in senior management? A study in the Turkish hospitality industry. European Journal of Tourism Research, 39, 3901. https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v39i.3100