Piña, A E; Lu, S L and Phua, F T T (2022) Exploring the lived experience of women owner-managers of small construction firms: A social identity approach. In: Tutesigensi, A and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 38th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2022, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
Despite the growing number of small construction firms that are owned-managed by women, there is limited research into the lived experience enacted by these women who have direct influence over their firms' strategic direction and operational management. This paper aims to revisit the current narratives on gender prevalent in the industry from a social identity perspective. Social identity approach (SIA) posits that individuals have multiple and salient self-concepts that are defined by their social context and experiences. The exploration of the lived experiences of women owner-managers of small construction firms could shed light on how these women identify themselves. The narrative inquiry methodology will be adopted as it is an appropriate way to gather data about lived experience. Findings from this study will contribute to help policy makers and industry stakeholders go beyond examining structural barriers only when it comes to making the construction industry more attractive to women.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | female business owners; gender; narrative inquiry methodology; small construction firms; social identity approach; women owner-managers |
| Index terms: | construction industry, social identity, exploration, methodology, narrative, women, owner, small construction firm, manager |
| Subjects: | practitioner, organization, environmental resource management, qualitative and interpretive research, research methods, industry analysis, sociology |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here