Att vara kvinna och styrelseproffs
En kvalitativ studie om kvinnor i svenska bolagsstyrelser
AbstractThe purpose of this thesis is to examine the professional female members of a board in listed companies. During the 21st century the issue of female quotation into the executive boards was discussed in both the media and politically due to womens underrepresentation in these contexts.The main purpose of this thesis is to examine the professional female members of boards stories of the role models they have, what characteristics have evolved, the views of others, and the self image. In addition, we want to investigate how women perceive themselves in a male-dominated field to identify how the female identity is created at work.Through a qualitative research in the form of personal interviews, we have gathered empirical material that forms the basis of our results. The answers from the interviews have been analyzed with the help of relevant theories and a social constructionist approach throughout the thesis. For our theoretical approach, we primarily chose symbolic interactionism, identity theories, and concepts such as the glass ceiling and gender strategies to analyze the data.The result of the survey shows that there are many elements that play into how women form their identities. Identified patterns show that the female?s role models influence their future behavior and the way they perceive things. In particular, it affects the self-image of how they should be; their ideal ego. Ideal ego is about being committed and having self-awareness. They see themselves as brave, positive and self-propelled, and that others see them in the same way. The women are in a minority position and that has made them more visible but also more audited. This leads to the need to constantly overachieve and the importance of highlighting their skills to assert themselves in their role.Keywords: Identity, ?professional members of a board?, woman, symbolic interactionism, identity theories, the glass ceiling, gender policies