Title: Gendered tapes: a study into vocational choice influencers and impactors

Authors: Mamta Mohapatra

Addresses: International Management Institute (IMI), B-10, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016, India

Abstract: The present study seeks to identify and compare the major influencers in shaping vocational choices and their impact on Generation X and Y in making career choices. An open ended questionnaire was used to elicit information on different vocational choice indicators. Data were collected from 125 Indian as well as foreign nationals belonging majorly to Generation X and Generation Y age groups. Results were analysed using a qualitative methodology and demarcating major recurring themes and categories. The study looks into how current workplace beliefs of gender, self image and ability are shaped by past influencers and dominant metaphors from early experiences. Knowledge about such influencers helps shed light into how individuals arrive at current beliefs. The dominant impactors, gendered messages and categorisations which emerged are analysed to see their implications to vocational choices and organisational life. The understanding of these gendered role messages is paramount in helping create more equitable workplaces.

Keywords: gender differences; vocational choices; role models; Generation X; Generation Y; career choices; inclusion; glass ceiling; impactors; vocational choice influencers; equitable workplace; self image; ability; early experience.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMP.2017.083085

International Journal of Management Practice, 2017 Vol.10 No.2, pp.189 - 202

Received: 14 Oct 2015
Accepted: 14 Mar 2016
Published online: 20 Mar 2017 *

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