Career Paths of Women in Management in India

This paper examines the entry of women in management and their career paths in the organization. Three phases can be distinctly identified. The first phase appears in the fifties. In this phase women, men and organization related to women in management with social structures and modes of relationship. It was a phase of societal transition where women’s entry was related to job, economic autonomy or finding engagement in activities to do justice to the education received. The second phase emerged around mid sixties till early seventies. The women created opportunities for career paths. Career paths implies a task orientation and management of competition, collaboration being evaluated and formal work roles. It also meant management of home and work interface and work acquiring significance in the life space. The third phase is the decade of the eighties. The concept of professionalization meant clarity between social and formal work roles and the systems. It also meant emergence of new choices and actions. This paper then examines organizational context and issues of women in management. These issues revolve around task allocation, authority, evaluation and promotion, relationship with superiors, colleagues and subordinates and the concept of membership the women hold. It then reflects upon the current and future scenario of women in management in the cultural, organizational and role context.