Enablers and Barriers for Women's Career Progression into Executive Positions: Case of Latvian Highest Value Joint Stock Companies

Qualitative study analysing the enablers and barriers to women's career progression into executive positions in Latvia's highest-value joint-stock companies (the TOP 101 of 2019), based on 20 semi-structured interviews with women in executive positions and structured around four levels of analysis: governmental, societal, corporate and individual.

The authors first reviewed existing EU and Latvian social policies and structures on gender equality and women's attitudes towards them, then examined societal norms, work-life balance practices and sexism, followed by corporate culture (masculine/collectivistic culture, the 'ideal worker' concept, access to networks and mentoring) and individual factors such as leadership style, risk aversion and ambition, before conducting semi-structured interviews with women executives about their career progression.

The most important enabling factors identified were networking, flexible work and family support, while the main barriers were inadequate childcare facilities and gender stereotyping; motherhood was viewed by respondents as a neutral factor or even as an enabler rather than a barrier.

The research is intended to help women aspiring to managerial positions understand potential enablers and barriers, to support company management in improving corporate governance and long-term sustainability practices, and to inform policymakers on priorities for future social policy.