WORK-FAMILY BALANCE CHALLENGES OF WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS

Women leadership significantly contributes in building high-performing organizations. However, challenges with balancing work and family responsibilities are inhibiting them from exerting their fullest potential.  This study... [ view full abstract ]

Women leadership significantly contributes in building high-performing organizations. However, challenges with balancing work and family responsibilities are inhibiting them from exerting their fullest potential.  This study investigates the challenges women leaders in Addis Ababa  face in balancing the work and family demands.  A sample of eight women leaders from large and middle scale organizations were taken using purposive sampling technique. In depth interviews were used to gather the information for the study, and phenomenological qualitative study was applied to analyze the data.  The study identified some organizational, societal and individual factors that challenge women leaders to balance their work and family responsibilities. Work overload, cultural and social norms, family responsibilities, and the interviewees' individual upbringing related behaviors were identified as their major challenges. The study indicated much needs to be done from organizations, the society, and women themselves in for women leaders to have the desired level of work-family balance.