Abstract

The phenomenon of glass ceilings which hinder women to advance further in their careers the higher their positions in organisational hierarchies are is well-known. Nevertheless, there is a lack of continuous empirical research about this issue that allows to compare glass ceilings over regional, national and temporal borders and to identify reasons on the level of society, labour markets, organisations and individual employees. In the light of these gaps the IAB-executives-study analyses the participation of women in leading positions in German establishments.

Specifically, in the study three questions are analyzed: First, how can the status quo of women's participation in leading positions in Germany be described? Second, which characteristics are special for establishments with a high share of women in management positions compared to other establishments? That means, which structural and organisational factors enhance the participation of women in leading positions, which factors are barriers? Third, which women have reached leading positions and in which respects do they differ from men in similar positions? To answer this question, the personal and the occupational situation of female and male executives is analysed.