Career challenges model among female engineers: PLS-SEM analysis

Ummu Sakinah S.

QR Code Link :
Type :	article
Subject :	HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Main Author :	Ummu Sakinah S.
Additional Authors :	Ridzwan Che Ros Ramlee M. Zaliza Hanapi
Title :	Career challenges model among female engineers: PLS-SEM analysis

Place of Production :	Tanjong Malim
Publisher :	Fakulti Teknikal dan Vokasional
Year of Publication :	2020
Corporate Name :	Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Abstract : Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Women are likely to leave the job sector as a result of the crisis between their commitments to the career with the household interest. In response to this issue, this study aims to build a career challenge model that caters to the demand among women in this century. Hence, this study has identified the key factors to the challenges faced by female engineers in pursuing theircareer as an engineer through the Delphi Modified Technique. The result shows this study looking into the relationship between four independent constructs namely, life balance, childcare, leaves and gender discrimination. Meanwhile, the dependent construct of this study is career challenges faced by women. The scope of the study comprises female engineers with families and 211 respondents were selected to answer the questionnaire. The data obtained were analysed using the PLS-SEM 2.0 software via the algorithm, bootstrapping and blindfolding method. The construction process of this model involves two tests including the construction of the measurement model and the structure model. Testing the measurement model involves internal consistency namely (a) convergent validity and (b) discriminant validity in which these two validities have six analyses; (i) external loading, (ii) composite reliability, (iii) average variance extracted (AVE), (iv) Fornell-Larcker, (v) cross loading, and (vi) Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT). Meanwhile, the structural model testing involves the analysis of (i) Multicollinearity (Inner VIF), (ii) Path Coefficient, (iii) R square (R2), (iv) size effect (f2), and (v) Predictive Relevance (Q2). The findings indicate that gender discrimination and life balance have significant relationships in influencing career challenges. Hence, this model is expected to contribute to the literature of Human Resource Management.

References

1.Halim, R. A., & Aziz, N. N. A. Malaysian Female Graduates: Marriage, Motherhood and Labour Force Participation. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development2016; 3(1): 109–114.

2.Minister Department, P. Economic Transformation Programme Annual Report 2011: 1-264.

3.Jabatan Tenaga Manusia. Pelan Strategik Jabatan Tenaga Manusia 2016-2020. Kementerian Sumber Manusia 2016: 1-64.

4.Fouad, N. A., Chang, W. H., Wan, M. et al.Women’s Reasons for Leaving the Engineering Field. Frontiers Psychologist 2012; vol. 8.

5.Appelbaum, E., Boushey, H., & Schmitt, J. The Economic Importance of Women’s Rising Hours of Work: Time to Update Employment Standards. Center for American Progress and the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 2014 (April): 1–34. Retrieved from https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/WomensRisingWorkv2.pdf

6.Noor Rahamah Hj Abu Bakar. Masa Kerja Fleksibel dalam Sektor Formal di Bandar: Mengimbangi Kerjaya dan Tanggungjawab Keluarga. Akademika 2013; 83(1): 77-80.

7.Lyness, K. S., & Judiesch, M. K. Gender Egalitarianism and Work-Life Balance for Managers: Multisource Perspectives in 36 Countries. Applied Psychology 2014; 63(1): 96-129.

8. Lingard, H. Francis, V., & Turner, M. Worklife strategies in the Australian construction industry: implementation issues in a dynamic project-based work environment. International Journal of Project Management 2012; 30(3): 282-295.

9. Malone, E. K., & Issa, R. R. A. Work-Life Balance and Organizational Commitment of Women in the U.S. Construction Industry. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice 2012; 139(2): 87-98

10. Linnan, L., Arandia, G., Bateman, L. A., et al. The Health and Working Conditions of Women Employed in Child Care. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2017; 14(3): 2-14

11. Charitable, R. A Model for Predicting a Career Success in Engineering among Women and African American Men. The Sciences and Engineering 2012.

12. Madara, D. S., & Cherotich, S.Challenges Faced by Female Students in EngineeringEducation. Journalof Education and Practice 2016; 7(25): 8-22.

13. Hibel, L. C., Trumbell, J. M., & Mercado, E. Work/non-workday Differences in Mother, Child and Mother-Child Morning Cortisol in a Sample of Working Mothers and Their Children. Early Human Development 2014; 90(1): 1–7.

14. Ministry of Education. National Education Statistic: Higher Education Sector. Ministry of Education, Malaysia 2014.

15. Avais, M. A., Wassan, A. A., & Shah, S. A Case Study on Problems of Working Women in City Sukkur. Academic Research International 2014; 5(2): 325–333.

16. Barati, A., Arab, R. O., & Masoumi, S. S. Challenges and Problems Faced By Women Workers in India. Chroncile of the Neville Wadia Institute of Management Studies and Research 2014: 76–82. Retrieved from http://www.nevillewadia.com/images/Cro nicle2015/Azadeh-Barati15.pdf

17. Mittal, M. S., Sharma, M. S., & Srivastava, P. P. Challenges Faced By Working Women at Workplace, Family and Society-Major Issues, Impact and Remedial Measures. 2015; 8(5): 64–77.

18. McDowall A. Workplace solutions for childcare In Community, Work & Family. 2012; 15(2), 252-253.

19. Silim, A., & Crosse, C. Women in Engineering (Reports): Fixing the Talent Pipeline. September, 22, 2014: 1-22.

20. Boushey, H., & Glynn, S. J. The Effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave on Employment Stability and Economic Security. Center for American Progress 2012. April: 1–30.

21. Ellemers, N. Women at Work: How Organizational Features Impact Career Development. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 2014; 1(1): 46-54.

22. Abele, E. A., Spurk, D., & Volmer, J. The Construct of Career Success: Measurement Issues and an Empirical Example. ZAF (2011); 43:195–206.

23. Vaganay, A., Canónico, E., & Courtin, E. (2016). Challenges of Work-Life Balance Faced By Working Families: Reports Review.

24. Kaewsri, N., & Tongthong, T. Professional Development of Female Engineers in the Thai Construction Industry. Procedia -Social and Behavioral Sciences 2013; 88(1): 291-298.

25. Kyriakidou, O. Negotiating Gendered Identities through the Process of Identity Construction: Women Managers in Engineering. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. An International Journal 2011; 31(1): 4-9.

26. Hatmaker, D. M. Practicing Engineers: Professional Identity Construction through Role Configuration. Journal Engineering Studies 2012; 2(2): 121-144.

27. Kaewsri, N., & Tongthong, T. Favorable Female Attributes In Relation To Career Challenges Of Women Engineers In The Thai Construction Industry. International Journal of Construction Education and Research 2014; 10 (3): 222-236.

28. Azhar, S., & Griffin, M. K. A.Women in construction : successes, challenges and opportunities – A USACE Case Study. 50th ASC Annual International Conference Proceedings 2014: 1-8.

29. Hair, J.F., Hult, G.T.M., Ringle, C.M. and Sarstedt, M. A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM). Sage, Thousand Oaks 2014.

30. Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. A New Criterion for Assessing Discriminant Validity in Variance-Based Structural Equation Modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 2015; 43(1): 115-135.

31. Ramayah, T., Cheah, J., Chuah, F., et al. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.0: An updated and practical guide to statistical analysis. (2nd edition) Singapore: Pearson 2018.

32. Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. Journal of Marketing Research 1981; 18(1): 39-50.

33. Schueller-Weidekamm, C., & KautzkyWiller, A. Challenges of Work-Life Balance for Women Physicians/Mothers Working In Leadership Positions. Gender Medicine 2012; 9(4): 244-250.

34. Shiva, G. A Study on Work Family Balance and Challenges Faced By Working Women. Journal of Business and Management 2013 (IOSR-JBM); 14(5): 1–4.

35. Michailidis, M. P., Morphitou, R. N., & Theophylatou, I. Women at Workequality versus Inequality: Barriers for Advancing In the Workplace. International Journal of Human Resource Management 2012; 23(20): 4231-4245.

36. Hirsh, E. & Lyons, C. J. Perceiving Discrimination on the Job: Legal Consciousness, Workplace Context and the Construction of Discrimination. Law and Society Review 2010; 44(2): 269-298.

This material may be protected under Copyright Act which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials.
You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research.

Back to previous page