Women engineers in construction industry : a comparative study in Bangladesh and Thailand | |
| Author | Hossain, Julaikha Bente |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.GD-07-01 |
| Subject(s) | Women engineers--Bangladesh Women engineers--Thailand Women employees |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. GD-07-01 |
| Abstract | This study began with the question of what are the factors that lead to different outcomes of women in construction engineering profession in Bangladesh and Thailand. The primary data for answering this question were drawn from questionnaire surveys with 204 professional engineers, in-depth interviews with 80 professional women engineers, and informal discussions with employers/representatives in construction organizations in Bangladesh and Thailand. By comparing Thailand and Bangladesh, the findings identified several similar and different barriers that not only deter women from entering in construction industry, but also stopped the stream of women engineering graduates to flow into the engineering job market. It is revealed that affirmative action (such as fellowships and quota systems for women in entering engineering employment) and educational encouragement from family members play an important role in Bangladeshi women’s entry in engineering education. In contrast, self-interest and role models are the two important determinants that influence Thai women’s career choice and entry in engineering education. Nonetheless, the increase of Bangladeshi women studying civil engineering do not necessarily lead to increase in women going for civil engineering job, especially in construction organizations. The study uncovered that it is not the stereotyped image that make women less involved in construction industry. The study has shed light on how organizational cultural practices as well as the influence of external factors (such as socio-cultural norms and gender societal expectations) within construction organizations affect women’s entry and stay in construction organizations in Bangladesh and Thailand. Despite significant career constraints experienced both countries, the study further reveals that the organizational culture type also play a major force in enhancing women engineers’ professional advancement. For example, although the cultural image of construction engineering profession as male-oriented still remains very powerful in Thai - Joint Venture (Team working) Organizations like in other types of organizations, participative working pattern through teamwork in this type of organizations was encouraged in order to ensure high quality of work and maintain rapport and credibility with their clients. This indeed, gives Thai women engineers’ in this type of organizations way to explore their potentials and enhance their career development as well as reduced sex segregation. Further more, the interpersonal relationships (such as access to interaction, association, knowledge and information sharing and mutual career support) among the organizational members might also indirectly influenced women’s professional advancement. Further, for construction engineers,, it is important to have site experience in order to be promoted to managerial positions. In Thailand, women are getting more opportunities to go to sites compared to Bangladesh, not only because the social norms of seclusion of women are tighter in Bangladesh, but also because sites.are better organized and more secure for women to work. This shows that even though sites are generally seen to be dangerous for women, it is possible to improve the security situation in order to allow women to work. The above findings suggests that both organizational culture and external environmental factors can account for women engineers’ entry and stay within the construction organizations in both countries. However, organizations can be able to create their own culture and practices that does not necessarily reinforce the societal gender expectation. The findings underline the importance of organizational policy, practices and culture in creating a women-friendly workplace in both countries. It is encouraging to see more women studying civil engineering. In order to utilize their talent, as well as to improve their efficiency in the workplace, it is important that women are able to work comfortably and effectively in construction organizations. In order to achieve this, it is important for construction management to review their organizational culture from a gender perspective. In Bangladesh, although quotas help Bangladeshi women in overcoming the entry barrier in Bangladesh - Public (Top-down bureaucracy) Organizations to some extent, it should be used in conjunction with other measures to change organizational culture and practices. For example, the interpersonal relationship among the organizational members found to be more important to women's promotional opportunity and career advancement in Thai organizations, which was restricted in Bangladesh - Private (Owner-centered) Organizations and Bangladesh - Public (Top-down bureaucracy) Organizations. The findings suggest that despite the conceited efforts by the government that are necessary in increasing the female engineer's participation, organizations should develop their own equal opportunity guidelines and policies to provide women with a suitable job and ensure that they remain employed. |
| Year | 2007 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. GD-07-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ogunlana, Stephen Olu;Sununta Siengthai;Osawa, Mari;Dainty, Andrew R. J. ; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2007 |