Barriers to Career Advancement in the Hotel Industry in Timor-Leste: Study of Gender Stereotyping, Old Boys’ Network and Gender Differences

Abstract

The hotel industry in Timor-Leste is female-dominated. However, women are under-represented in managerial and senior executive positions. This study examines the relative importance of gender stereotyping and old boys’ network variables as barriers that impact women’s and men’s career advancement in the hotel industry in Dili, Timor-Leste.  A survey questionnaire was distributed at 20 hotels in Dili, Timor-Leste, and 16 hotels granted approval, represented by 385 individuals (226 women and 159 men). These data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results from this study indicated that gender stereotyping had a significant influence as a barrier to career advancement. Old boy’s network had no significant barrier to the career advancement for both in women versus men comparison. Furthermore, the male group scores higher than the female group in the variables of stereotyping in gender differences analysis as the higher scores represent the biases against women. This study is the first study to examine barriers for individuals’ career advancement in the hotel industry of Dili, Timor-Leste. This study suggests theoretical and practical implications on barriers for men’s and women’s career advancement and mitigates gender inequality in the organization.