Maximising women's potential in the UK's retail sector

Harris, L, Foster, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2462-5155 and Whysall, P ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9905-599X, 2007. Maximising women's potential in the UK's retail sector. Employee Relations, 29 (5), pp. 492-505. ISSN 0142-5455

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Purpose – A defining characteristic of the UK retail sector is the high number of women it employs but there remains an enduring under-representation of women in its management positions. The majority of women in the industry work part-time and this paper explores the factors that impact upon the career progression. Approach – One thousand questionnaires were completed by store staff in three leading retailers supported by interviews with store staff and SME retailers in the UK’s East Midlands region. Findings – The study revealed continuing barriers to career progression for women working part-time in retailing. Despite family friendly employment policies becoming an increasingly important feature of modern work organisations, career progression was informed by a traditional concept of a career based on full-time working. Research Limitations - the study was limited to one sector, there is a need for further studies into women’s career progression in other sectors reliant on female employment. Practical implications - the findings have implications for promotion policies, training and development provision and line management practices if retailers are to maximise the potential of the women they employ. Originality/Value – The findings, based on both quantitative and qualitative data, suggest that retailing is an industry where a significant number of women are working below their potential despite organisational policies supportive of diversity and equality of opportunity.

Item Type:	Journal article
Description:	Post-print
Publication Title:	Employee Relations
Creators:	Harris, L., Foster, C. and Whysall, P.
Publisher:	Emerald
Place of Publication:	Bradford
Date:	2007
Volume:	29
Number:	5
ISSN:	0142-5455
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1108/01425450710776308 DOI
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:26
Last Modified:	25 May 2023 10:59
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12960

Actions (login required)

Edit View

Statistics

Views

Downloads