A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study Investigating the Life Experiences of Identified Females in Their Efforts to Participate in Technology Careers when America Needs More Technology Workers and Technology Leaders

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dc.contributor.author Bell, Emily E.
dc.coverage.spatial United States. en_US
dc.date.accessioned 2018-06-10T16:01:07Z
dc.date.available 2018-06-10T16:01:07Z
dc.date.issued 2018-03
dc.identifier.citation Bell, Emily E., "A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study Investigating the Life Experiences of Identified Females in Their Efforts to Participate in Technology Careers when America Needs More Technology Workers and Technology Leaders," Ed.D. diss., Valdosta State University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/10428/3091
dc.identifier.other C9D657A3-E192-7E98-4B29-1DF6D136B387 UUID
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10428/3091
dc.description.abstract The experiences of identified females in their efforts to participate in technology careers as workers and leaders was examined in this study. Studies indicated America did not have enough skilled talent to fill technology jobs and there were disproportionately low numbers of female workers and female leaders who participated in technology careers (Ashcraft, McLain, & Eger, 2016; Zweben & Bizot, 2016). Statistics revealed women represented 57% of the labor force, but only 20% in the technology industry (Cyberstates 2017, 2017; United States Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). I utilized narrative inquiry research design with feminism and gender role incongruity theories as theoretical frameworks. I interviewed five female technology leaders in their natural setting using Seidman’s (2013) three step interview process to understand their experiences becoming and serving as technology leaders. Data analysis using memos, categorizing, document analysis, and constant comparative methods revealed four major themes: climb your ladder, know your worth, discover your career, and nurture your vision. Participants revealed discriminatory exclusions and bias against female specific issues like pregnancy and work and life demands as the primary barriers for entering and staying in the technology field. Barriers were mitigated by their intrinsic motivation augmented by encouraging role models, personal persistence, interpersonal skills, and risk aversion. Study participants exhibited an innate ability to nurture team members and organization goals using soft skills to ameliorate the rigid and fast-paced technology industry. They favored a balance that incorporated aspects of both genders to develop individuals and the organization which may encourage a diverse talent pool of American men and women who will be highly competitive in the growing field of technology. **Keywords:** Keyword 1: Qualitative; Keyword 2: Female; Keyword 3: Leader; Keyword 4: Technology; Keyword 5: America; en_US
dc.description.tableofcontents Chapter I: INTRODUCTION 1 | Overview 1 | Statement of the Problem 1 | Purpose 2 | Research Questions 2 | Study Significance 3 | Conceptual Framework 3 | My Experiential Knowledge 3 | Prior Literature 5 | Summary of Methodology 7 | Limitations 7 | Chapter Summary 8 | Definition of Terms 9 | Chapter II: LITERATURE REVIEW 11 | Description of the Problem 11 | American Technology Industry 12 | Common Barriers in Choosing Technology Field 16 | Common Barriers in the Workplace 18 | Problem Solving Strategies 23 | Feminist Theory 25 | Gender Role Incongruity 28 | Gender Equity Policies 32 | Chapter Summary 34 | Chapter III: METHODOLOGY 38 | Researcher Design and Rationale 39 | Setting 42 | Role of the Researcher 43 | Group and Participant Selection 44 | Data Collection 46 | Instrumentation 47 | Interview 48 | Memoing 50 | Organizational Policies 51 | Data Analysis 51 | Issues of Trustworthiness 54 | Credibility and Dependability 54 | Transferability 55 | Confirmability 55 | Ethical Issues 56 | Chapter Summary 58 | Chapter IV: NARRATIVES OF FEMALE TECHNOLGY LEADERS 59 | Profiles of Participants 61 | Anne 61 | Grace 67 | Celine 73 | Summer 78 | Margaret 84 | Chapter Summary 89 | Chapter V: DISCUSSION OF THEMES 90 | Description of Themes 96 | Climb Your Own Ladder 96 | Firm Foundation 100 | Know Your Worth 101 | Discover Your Career 104 | Nurture Your Vision 108 | Chapter Summary 111 | Chapter VI: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 112 | Research Questions: Final Discussions Summary 114 | Implications and Discussion of the Study 125 | Limitations of the Study 130 | Recommendations for Future Research 133 | Final Conclusions 133 | References 138 | Appendix A: Participant Consent Agreement 158 | Appendix B: Interview Guide and Questions 160 | Appendix C: Institutional Review Board Approval 166 | en_US
dc.format Acrobat PDF/A - Portable Document Format v.1b [PUID: fmt/354]
dc.format.extent 1 electronic record. 177 pages.
dc.format.medium Electronic records (digital records); PDF; Dissertations;
dc.format.mimetype application/pdf
dc.language.iso en_US en_US
dc.rights This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgment. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.
dc.subject Dissertations, Academic--United States en_US
dc.subject Women in technology en_US
dc.subject Qualitative research en_US
dc.subject Technology en_US
dc.subject Leadership in women en_US
dc.title A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study Investigating the Life Experiences of Identified Females in Their Efforts to Participate in Technology Careers when America Needs More Technology Workers and Technology Leaders en_US
dc.type Dissertation en_US
dc.contributor.department Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology of the Dewar College of Education and Human Services en_US
dc.description.advisor Green, Robert
dc.description.committee Tsemunhu, Rudo E.
dc.description.committee Truby, William
dc.description.committee Nobles, Kathy
dc.description.committee LaPlant, James T.
dc.description.degree Ed.D. en_US
dc.description.major Education in Leadership en_US


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