Marilyn J. Davidson

Women in construction: the untapped resource

Currently there are over 11 million women employed in the UK, accounting for 49.5% of the workforce. However, despite increases in the number of women employed in the construction industry over the past decade, they still constitute only 13% of the industrys workforce. This means that construction continues to be the most male dominated of all the major industrial groups. A review is presented of the literature relating to the current position of women in the construction industry. It identifies and examines the barriers preventing womens entry into the industry, the subsequent barriers faced by those working within the construction industry, and initiatives committed to promoting equality for women and men in construction. These barriers arise from a number of sources including: the construction industrys image; career knowledge amongst children and adults; selection criteria and male dominated courses; recruitment practices and procedures; sexist attitudes; male dominated culture; and the work environment.

THINK MANAGER, THINK MALE

Examines a recent managerial sex typing research project. Results show that it is still very difficult for women to reach top managerial jobs and those who do are very much in the minority. The “glass ceiling” appears to be still intact although women are gaining some “middle” ground. Posits that “think manager – think male” should become “think manager – think qualified person!”

Occupational stress, job satisfaction and health state in male and female junior hospital doctors in Greece

This study investigates the occupational stress amongst 355 male and female Greek junior hospital doctors (JHDs) working in the Greater Athens area. The initial phase of the research involved in‐depth interviews with a random stratified sample of sixty JHDs, both male and female, in a variety of specialties of junior hospital staff. An extended version of the occupational stress indicator (OSI) questionnaire was developed, incorporating additional items based on the results of the qualitative part of the study, and on previous research findings in the same area. The sample consisted of 193 males and 162 females JHDs, who completed the OSI. Analyses of the data demonstrated that, overall, JHDs presented significantly higher levels of sources of pressure than the normative population and other comparative occupational samples. As regards the various sub‐group comparisons, bivariate analyses revealed that there were significant differences between male and female JHDs in certain aspects of pressure (“career and achievement” and “home/work interface”). Multivariate analyses revealed that predictors of physical and mental ill health and job dissatisfaction were type A behaviour and “demands of the profession” respectively. The research implications of the findings are discussed.

Women in management: a comparative cross‐cultural overview

Provides a review of the position of women in management in a number of countries. Describes how in almost all countries, management positions are dominated by men. Concludes that, although many similarities were found in women’s work experience across cultures, cultural factors accounted for the unique experiences of women in a given country.

Factors Inhibiting the Economic Growth of Female Owned Small Businesses in North West England

While the general trend in the UK is towards an increase in female owned small businesses, during the last few years the number of North West of England businesses owned by women has fallen by 12.5 per cent. Aims to investigate the barriers preventing women from entering into growth businesses in the North West. The research included discussions with 12 service providers as well as in‐depth interviews and focus groups with 99 potential and established female business owners. The main barriers blocking women’s ownership of small businesses involved the widely held stereotype of business owners as “white, middle class, males”, cultural differences, a shortage of premises for new businesses and the lack of appropriate childcare.

Barriers encountered during micro and small business start‐up in North‐West England

The success or failure of a new business is often dependent on overcoming a series of potential barriers, eg securing sufficient financial backing, adequate and appropriate guidance and training etc. Yet, in light of the substantial growth rate of micro and small businesses, there has been little research into the experiences of potential and new business owners during the start‐up of such enterprises. To date there has been no systematic study of this group in the UK, and many questions remain unanswered. This study of micro and small business during the initialisation and formation of new venture creation (eg pre‐start‐up, 0‐6 months and 6‐12 months∥ sought to answer some of those questions. It identifies the needs of new business owners, the barriers they encounter, and the strategies they use to overcome those obstacles. The findings indicate that financial difficulties and the attitudes of banks towards new business owners are the main barriers to successful enterprise creation, with mentors and more specific advice cited as the assistance regarded as affording the greatest benefit to potential and new business owners. In addition, small and micro business owners are going out of business, or are unable to fulfil their potential, because they are denied access to those factors that promote success.

Women, equality and construction

Examines the situation faced by women in the UK construction industry. Finds that women are confronted by a significant number of barriers, beginning with difficulties in joining the industry. In addition, the administrative or human resource management roles traditionally occupied by women do not lead to mainstream roles and senior management roles. To increase prospects, women need to able to take on the more mainstream roles in the industry such as design, engineering and construcition iteself. The main investigation of the article is therefore into the barriers preventing women from taking these roles. Conclusions and suggestions for reform are made.

Women in construction: a comparative investigation into the expectations and experiences of female and male construction undergraduates and employees

nvestigates whether career expectations of women in construction change once they begin working in the industry, in comparison to men. Focus group interviews and a literature review formed the basis for developing a survey questionnaire. The results revealed that professional women had higher expectations and were more committed to remaining in the construction industry than female students. Female students had significantly higher financial expectations than male students, while male students had significantly higher expectations in relation to the number of people they expect to supervise. Professional men were responsible for supervising significantly more people than professional women. The findings also suggest that there are fewer women in the construction industry over the age of 36 years, in comparison to men. It is recommended that this area of research should be developed further.

International Handbook of Women and Small Business Entrepreneurship

Foreword Preface Part I: Women into Enterprise - Personality and Behaviour Characteristics Part II: Women into Enterprise - Constraints and Conditions of Success Part III: Women into Enterprise - Black and Ethnic Minority Small Business Owners Part IV: Women into Enterprise - A Global Perspective Part V: Women into Enterprise - Future Perspectives and Recommendations

Using a stress audit: The construction site manager experience in the UK

The aim of this study was to conduct a stress audit among construction industry site managers in the UK as a precursor to a stress management intervention programme. Qualitative data were obtained ...