Framework for Promoting Women’s Career Development across Career Stages in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Despite efforts to promote gender diversity, the construction industry in Australia remains one of the most male-dominated industries. Women, compared to their male counterparts, progress more slowly and encounter major obstacles to career development in the construction industry. Existing research tends to focus on broad factors that impact women’s career development in all career stages despite the fact that women’s career priorities often change as they progress through different career stages. This study applied Super’s career development model to investigate the influential factors on women’s career development across four career stages: explore (precareer), establishment (early career), midcareer, and late career. By conducting a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, this research identified influential factors related to women’s career development in the construction industry, namely, attitude, capability, interest, past experiences, family responsibilities, parental influences, role models, support, culture, organizational practice, and policies and regulations. Based on the women’s empowerment framework, the identified factors were coded and synthesized into three dimensions: individual, relational, and environmental. The research finds there is a significant focus on providing relational and environmental support to women in construction, and less attention is given to individual factors. The review revealed that personal interest and parental perceptions in construction influence women’s career development in precareer and early career stages, while masculine culture significantly impacts women’s career development in all career stages. This study also summarizes the theoretical contributions and practical implications drawn from existing research on different stages of women’s career development and provides guidance for further research.