Business Commons^™

Women’S Equality In Utah: Why Utah Is Ranked As The Worst State, And What Can Be Done, Susan R. Madsen, Greg P. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

For the fourth year in a row, WalletHub has named Utah as the worst state in the nation for women’s equality in their report “2021’s Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality,” released August 23, 2021. To ascertain where women receive the most equal treatment, WalletHub’s analysis compared the 50 states across 17 key indicators of women’s equality. The indicators ranged from the gap between the number of female and male executives, to the disparity in unemployment rates for women and men, to gender differences in education and health.

The Underrepresentation Of Women In Senior Leadership Positions Within The Healthcare Industry, Gloria I. Choquette

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In today’s business world the importance of bias, stereotyping, and prejudice, needs to be taken into account, as it leads to the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership positions. A crucial leadership gap exists in the current healthcare system as theories, cases, and models have influenced the strategies used in the healthcare industry. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand the causes behind the underrepresentation of women in senior leadership positions within the healthcare industry in Winter Haven, Florida when compared to population demographics resulting in the organizations inability to leverage their skill-sets. Through participants responses the …

Women’S Experiences In Religious Tourism: An Investigation Into Women’S Involvement In Sabarimala Pilgrimage, Kerala, Shyju P.J., A. Vinodan, S. Meera, Jithendran Kokkranikal

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Preparations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage involves devotees observing a 41 day period of austerity (vrata) during which they practice an ascetic life. Women between the age of 10 and 50 do not visit the shrine at Sabarimala due to long-established customs. However, women do play an important role during the 41-day austerity observed by family members preparing for the pilgrimage, which could be described as a non-participant involvement in the pilgrimage. While there have been many studies on the spiritual and secular experiences of pilgrims, research on this unique form of non-participant involvement in pilgrimages is not found especially in …

Information Technology Usage Among Afghan Women Business Leaders, Karen A. Putnam

Communications of the IIMA

Prior to 2001, under the Taliban-ruled government, Afghanistan Information Technology (IT) usage was restricted to a few select individuals. Women were not allowed to attend schools or enter public areas without a related male escort and were expected to stay in the family home (Roshan, 2013). However, since 2001, the Afghan IT infrastructure allowed women to join the business sector to become educated in commerce, and they marketed products, goods, or services. Simple IT tools such as mobile phones have offered affordable business options for women, such as payment transactions over the phone or social media accounts. Afghan women leaders …

Being A Stem Woman In Kosovo, Aferina Skeja, Nora Sadiku Dushi, Gülay Keskin

UBT International Conference

Although it is difficult to accept, even in this time of civilization that we live in, women across the world face various difficulties as individuals. Male dominance in most fields makes it impossible to avoid gender discrimination. Gender discrimination all over the world is a huge drawback for women in almost every field. This phenomenon is even more prominent in business life and especially in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). In this globalized world, Kosovar women may not be an exception. Therefore, this research aims to examine whether women who work or have worked in STEM fields in Kosovo …

Voting And Civic Engagement Among Utah Women: A 2021 Update, Susan R. Madsen, D. Candice Pierucci, Robbyn T. Scribner

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

In 2016, the Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) released a research snapshot called “Voting and Civic Engagement Among Utah Women.” At the time, despite having a strong history of women’s political and civic involvement, Utah had fallen to the bottom of national rankings in terms of women’s political participation. In 2019, UWLP released an update of this report, which showed some improvement in voter participation rates for both the United States and for Utah women. Since 2016, the level of political engagement among women in Utah and the United States has grown, and civic engagement—a critical element of change …

What Mayors Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Utah Girls And Women, Susan R. Madsen, Staci Liljegren

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on input from 20 former and current mayors representing a variety of cities and towns across Utah. Discussions in the spring of 2021 focused on a myriad of ways mayors can increase the impact of Utah girls and women. For example, mayors discussed the importance of mentorship starting at a young age and continuing into adulthood, as well as building strong networks and relationships. They also discussed the need to champion more inclusive and family-friendly policies and programs. Participants recommended community outreach strategies and ways to support women leading in their community. These mayors insisted …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Utah Women And Work: Health Impacts, Marin Christensen, Susan R. Madsen, Jenna Dyckman, Dianne Mcadams-Jones

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–21 has affected workers across the globe, and women in the workforce have been disproportionately impacted, including those who live in Utah. The pandemic affected every aspect of life, especially physical and mental health. While the fatality rate has been higher for men, the pandemic impacted women’s mental health at a higher rate with more women being laid off or furloughed in certain industries (e.g., retail, food services, hospitality), experiencing increased workloads in other sectors (e.g., healthcare, education), absorbing greater unpaid caregiving responsibilities from homeschooling and childcare disruptions, and reporting elevated instances of domestic violence. These …

Strengthening Sisters: How Latter-Day Saint Missionary Service Prepares Women For Leadership, Sara Mcphee Lafkas, Wendy Fox-Kirk, Susan R. Madsen, Robbyn T. Scribner

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Women, especially those from highly religious societies, are underrepresented in professional and civic leadership positions. Considering how women's life experiences, especially from religious volunteer opportunities, can be reframed as training for broader leadership roles could help address this disparity. The potential for women to learn leadership skills from volunteer religious service is an overlooked, but possibly important, means of transferability to larger leadership roles. The current article describes a qualitative study of women's perceptions of leadership skills gained while serving as full-time volunteer missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during young adulthood. Respondents described perceptions of …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Utah Women And Work: Resilient Mindset And Wellbeing, Jared Hansen, Chris Hartwell, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 continues to impact all Utahns’ daily lives. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Pew Research Center, the Federal Reserve Bank, and sources such as the Wall Street Journal continue to report that women’s employment and careers have been disproportionately impacted during this time. Utah has seen similar negative impacts on working women. For example, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah reported that from 2019 to 2020, jobs held by women declined at a rate more than double that of men, and unemployment rose more for females than males.

Mobile Phones And Social Inclusion Of Women In Africa: A Nigerian Perspective, Naima Hafiz Abubakar, Muhammadou M. O. Kah

The African Journal of Information Systems

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly being recognised as vital tools with regards to the social inclusion of women. Specifically, we investigate the effect of mobile phone use on the social inclusion of women in Nigeria. Our study focuses on what these women are able to achieve with their mobile phones and the implication of these achievements on their ability to effectively participate in the society. We draw on a qualitative ethnographic study of resettled northern women in the southern city of Lagos to understand how mobile phone use contributes to their social inclusion. From our analysis, we derive …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Utah Women And Work: Caregiver Experiences, Marin Christensen, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–21 has affected workers across the globe, and women in the workforce have been disproportionately impacted, including those who live in Utah. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah reported that from 2019 to 2020, jobs held by women declined at a rate more than double that of men, and unemployment rose more for females than males. One major reason for these discrepancies is likely the disproportionate burden women have carried for childcare and homeschooling children as daycare facilities and schools have been closed in efforts to curb the spread of the …

An Analysis Of Utah Media: Women & Politics, Rebecca B. West, Lindsey Phillips, Trish Hatch, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

As women’s political presence and influence have slowly continued to increase, the way they have been represented in the media has also evolved. Research spanning the past several decades indicates that women politicians continue to be disadvantaged in the way they are covered by the media. From newspapers to primetime television, the way female political candidates are represented is a crucial topic; recent research indicates that women are dissuaded from even entering the political realm due to patterns of gendered media reporting and that “media both produces and reproduces sexism.” Research evaluating media representation of female political candidates spans both …

Financial Strategies For Long-Term Success In Women-Owned Small Businesses, Melissa R. Dyer

The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance

Failure of small businesses many times is because of poor implementation of long-term financial strategies. Women small business owners face many challenges in financing their small businesses because they may not have a financial plan. Interviews with 11 women small business owners in Cleveland County, North Carolina were completed to discuss ways to fund and sustain their small business. The success of women small business owners can strengthen the local economy by stimulating economic growth, increase the quality of life for the owner and their family, and can improve the standard of living in their community.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Utah Women And Work: Childcare And Homeschooling, Chris Hartwell, Jared Hansen, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 has impacted workers across the globe. Women have been disproportionately impacted during this time. At one point during the pandemic, a publication from the National Women’s Law Center reported that women dropped out of the workforce at a rate four times that of men. Utah has seen similar negative impacts on working women. The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah reported that from 2019 to 2020, jobs held by women declined at a rate more than double that of men, and unemployment rose more for females than males. One major reason …

Evaluating Microfinance And The Potential To Economically Empower Women In The Sacred Valley Of Peru, Allison Mcnamara

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

In the past 30 years, microfinance loans have become a highly popular strategy to reduce poverty and economically empower people in developing countries. Women in particular have become the primary recipients of microfinance loans. However, recent studies show that the loans only have short-term benefits, and ultimately contribute to the indebtedness of the Global South. This paper studies the effectiveness of microfinance loans in the Sacred Valley of Peru (Cusco), and their ability, or lack thereof, to economically empower women in this region.

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Utah Women And Work: Career Advancement Challenges, Marin Christensen, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 has impacted every Utahn in significant ways. Yet, research has found that women have been even more negatively impacted than men. For example, nearly 3 million American women have left the labor force over the past year and not returned. In Utah, from 2019 to 2020, jobs held by women declined at more than twice the rate of men. In addition, many studies have found that, for American couples, there continue to be gender gaps in household responsibilities even if both individuals work full-time. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research reported that women, and particularly …

What City Council Members Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Utah Girls And Women, Susan R. Madsen, Staci Liljegren, Diane Rindlisbacher

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on several 2021 remote gatherings of more than 25 former and current city council members representing a variety of jurisdictions across the state of Utah. Their discussions focused on ways to magnify women in government, community/youth outreach, policy development, encouraging and mentoring, and shape the conversation. Local elected officials can play an important and influential role in strengthening the impact of girls and women in their communities.

Can Small-Scale Poultry Initiatives Alleviate Food Insecurity And Increase Empowerment For Women In Economically Disadvantaged Areas?, Patrick Daniels

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the summer of 2019, I, along with 8 other students from the University of Arkansas departed the United States for the Central American country of Belize. Despite our limited knowledge of what Belize held in store for us, we were enthusiastic about the coming months. While we had different projects, we all set out with the same universal question in mind. How can we use the knowledge we have gained through education to make a positive impact on the lives of people living in an impoverished town? Some of the members of our team worked alongside local businesses to …

Media’S Portrayal Of Women And Its Impact On Body Image And Self-Esteem, Hannah Bareis

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project addresses the portrayal of women in media and its damaging effects on body image and self-esteem. It raises two critical questions: What negative impact is media creating on women? What can be done to combat these destructive effects?

According to a study done by Common Sense Media, "American teens use an average of 9 hours of media daily, not including for school and homework" (Common Sense Media, 2015). This data, along with many others, shows the severity of media exposure to teens. This has brought a valuable discussion to the table. How has this impacted female body image, …

Changing The Script: An Investigation Of How Gender Roles And Stereotypes Influence Women’S Career Choice In Marketing, Skylar Laine Read

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how the portrayal of gender roles and stereotypes have influenced young women growing up and how this representation has affected women’s career choices—specifically in sales. This thesis will explore the evolution of the Disney Princess, how the gender roles of these characters have influenced young girls’ perception of their role models, career choices, and perceptions of themselves in the workplace. This exploration is done through three different studies. The first is a case study of three Disney Princesses and the portrayal of women in their respective eras. The second study consists of …

Bias-Related Attitudes Towards Black Women Of Transgender Experience In Nonprofit, Community, And Government Leadership, Ebony Kirkland

School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects

This study examines explicit attitudes and implicit biases that are learned and perpetuated against Black women of transgender experience. These behaviors and beliefs contribute to broader impacts around policy support and community safety. Long-term discrimination against Black women of transgender experience create various disadvantages in social, educational, and economic arenas. The primary research question will explore the ways in which personal and external experiences influence how society responds to Black transgender women. An additional research tool, which will involve qualitative and quantitative data sampling, this researcher will explore the experiences, attitudes and perceived behaviors of both Black transgender women and …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Utah Women And Work: Changes, Burnout, & Hope, Jared Hansen, Chris Hartwell, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021 has impacted all Utahns in profound ways. Yet, a host of national and global reports have argued that women’s employment and careers have been disproportionately impacted during this time. For example, a McKinsey & Company and Lean In report stated that women are more likely to have been laid off or furloughed, leading to greater financial instability and stalled careers. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research reported that women, and particularly women of color, have unduly experienced job losses and have had greater struggles with managing paid work, caregiving responsibilities, and other types of unpaid …

Women In Accounting, Kayla Cline

Honors Projects

There is gender inequality at the equity partner level in public accounting firms. The number of female partners is much lower than male partners. This paper examines the three main reasons for this discrepancy. The reasons are the difficulty in finding an appropriate work-life balance, good formal and informal mentors, and the extra financial risk associated with being an equity partner. Next, comparisons to law firms and educators are made examining the reasons for any gender inequality in those industries. Finally, proposed solutions to the three main reasons for the gender inequality in public accounting are explored.

The Conceptualization Of Women’S Empowerment By Microlenders In Egypt And Its Link To Sustainable Development, Yasmina Abdellatif

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how microlenders in Egypt conceptualize women’s empowerment and how they see it contributing to achievement of the UN sustainable development goals. Ten Egyptian microlenders were interviewed to understand how they defined and assessed empowerment, the strategies they used to support empowerment, and which sustainable development goals they felt their programs were addressing. Results revealed that, overall, microlenders sought to empower women in economic, social, psychological, and familial ways, and that they used indicators to measure empowerment under each area. They also supported empowerment through mentoring, training and follow-up with their beneficiaries, and by working to include men. …

The Female Sports Fan Experience: How Women Consume Sports And How Sports Are Marketed To Women, Natalie Elser

Senior Theses

This study analyzes the growing subsection of female sports fans. Through a review of scholarly research articles, this study examines female sports fan motivations and behaviors and how they differ from the classic male sports fan. Additionally, this study aims to investigate how sports marketing executives try to appeal to women as sports consumers and how these practices have begun to change in recent years. This study will provide a summary of existing research on female sports fans along with a review of marketing initiatives used to engage female sports fans.

Family Firms In The Developing Context: Essays On Internationalization, Women, And Generational Changes, Maria Lapeira

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite a plethora of research discussing the effect of context on internationalization of firms, the family business literature has only recently begun to acknowledge contextual characteristics as important factors shaping family firm behavior (i.e. Carney, Duran, Van Essen, and Shapiro, 2017). The first essay, a literature review, adds to this conversation by unpacking how internationalization decisions in developing country family firms are affected by a number of resources, industry and institutional characteristics. This systematic review of family firm internationalization uses the strategy tripod perspective to understand characteristics that might have either a negative or a positive valence with respect to …

Navigating The Murky Middle: Understanding How Career Aspirations And Experiences Influence The Career Progression Of Women Identifying, Student Affairs, Middle Managers, Lindsey Gilmore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones

Even though women have made tremendous strides in many facets of education, ascending the administrative and leadership ranks within universities at a proportionate ratio to the number of women who peak as middle managers is not one of them. In the past 40 years, the number of women serving as presidents of universities across the nation has increased less than 10% from 21.1% in 1975 to 30.1% in 2016 (ACE, 2018). If a woman does find herself serving at the helm of an institution, it is more than likely at a “private, liberal arts schools rather than at doctoral granting, …

Dames Paving Pathways To Directorships. A Study About Female Leaders In Art Museums In The United States, Mechele Manno

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine and describe the career pathways of female art museum directors in the United States

Methodology: This phenomenological study described lived experiences of eight female art museum directors with over five years of directorship experience from museums with operating budgets over $10 million and in states that receive the highest private funding: CA, DC, IL, MA, NY, OH, PA, and TX. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews using a scripted interview guide in research categories: a) motivation; b) career advancement; c) barriers; and d) support.

Findings: All major findings were …

Student Retention In Higher Education: Effect Of The Campus Fitness Center On Women, Leslie Marie Gordon

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Of the 3.5 million first-time in college, full time students who began college in fall 2017, 74% returned for fall 2018, with 61.7% retained at their starting institution. Covid-19 has negatively impacted retention; in addition to normal attrition, one of every five students did not return to campus in fall 2020. Researchers have gauged both academic and social factors that positively influence retention and note the use of the campus fitness center (CFC) as one social factor; however, women are less likely to use the CFC, are one third as likely to exercise, and experience more numerous fitness obstacles and …