Eve on top : women's experience of success in the public sector

Eve on Top takes an in-depth look at the position of women in senior positions in the public sector using a case-study approach, based on ten 'successful' women and their background, upbringing, career progression, successes and failures, challenges and experiences. Each case study includes a 'lessons learned' response in the form of advice both to other women, and the organisations in which they work. Surrounding and supporting the case studies are short essays charting the main themes that emerge from the interview process, backed up by extensive literature reviews. The book also compares relevant public sectors in different parts of the world and concludes with several case studies. Summarises the commonality and the diversity of the challenges and issues Provides an analysis of the factors that help and hinder women in reaching the top positions Provides solutions suggested by detailed analysis of real-life experiences This book takes an in-depth look at the position of women in senior positions in the public sector using a case-study approach, based on ten 'successful' women and their background, upbringing, career progression, successes and failures, challenges and experiences. Each case study includes a 'lessons learned' response in the form of advice both to other women, and the organisations in which they work. Surrounding and supporting the case studies are short essays charting the main themes that emerge from the interview process, backed up by extensive literature reviews. This title compares relevant public sectors in different parts of the world and concludes with several case studies. It summarises the commonality and the diversity of the challenges and issues. It provides an analysis of the factors that help and hinder women in reaching the top positions. It provides solutions suggested by detailed analysis of real-life experiences. The book is key reading for: public sector managers in general; human resource (HR) managers in both public and private sectors; all involved in equality and diversity issues in both public and private sectors; lecturers in management, HR management and public sector management; those researching equality and diversity issues, with special reference to gender themes; and, students at postgraduate and undergraduate levels on management and sociology programmes in particular Content: Front matter , Pages i,iii Copyright , Page iv Foreword , Pages xiii-xiv Preface , Pages xv-xvi Acknowledgements , Page xvii List of abbreviations , Page xix Editorial conventions and confidentiality , Page xxi About the authors , Pages xxiii-xxiv 1 - Women at the top (or not): history, background, issues and themes , Pages 1-24 2 - Methodology: an explanation and a critique , Pages 25-32 3 - Characteristics of the women in the study , Pages 33-59 4 - Exploring and experiencing ‘success’ , Pages 61-75 5 - Career progression and planning , Pages 77-98 6 - Mentoring, role models and networking , Pages 99-113 7 - Gender , Pages 115-124 8 - Barriers and obstacles , Pages 125-142 9 - The ‘glass ceiling’ , Pages 143-153 10 - Sacrifices, gains, balances and choices , Pages 155-170 11 - Domestic considerations , Pages 171-185 12 - Working harder? , Pages 187-195 13 - Leadership and management styles , Pages 197-215 14 - Advice to men , Pages 217-228 15 - Advice to women , Pages 229-238 16 - Summary and conclusion , Pages 239-247 Appendix: Interview checklist , Pages 249-251 Index , Pages 253-259 David Baker, Bernadette Casey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.