A Study of Lived Experiences of Women IT Executives in Leadership

This dissertation delves into the lived experiences of women IT executives, focusing on their development as authentic leaders within the information technology sector. The research explores the background of the problem, the challenges women face, and the purpose of the study, which aims to understand their leadership journeys. The study investigates research questions concerning the conceptual framework of IT, the position of women's experiences, development strategies for authentic leadership, and the roles women play as leaders. The methodology includes a qualitative approach with data analysis focused on themes and patterns. The results chapter presents findings related to participant demographics, data collection, and analysis, including coding, qualitative results, and results of hypothesis tests. The discussion, conclusions, and recommendations chapter summarizes findings, explains them in relation to the research questions, and suggests areas for future research. The dissertation highlights the significance of the study, its implications for practice, and the importance of addressing gender equality and authentic leadership in the IT sector. The study covers historical developments, contemporary perspectives, and reviews the literature. It provides insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in IT leadership, offering recommendations for organizational change and future research directions.

Lived Experiences of Women
IT Executives Authentic
Leadership

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................5
Background of the Problem....................................................................................................5
Problem Statement..................................................................................................................5
Purpose of the Study...............................................................................................................5
Nature of the Study.................................................................................................................5
Significance of the Study........................................................................................................6
Research Questions................................................................................................................6
Brief Review of the Literature................................................................................................6
Conceptual Framework..........................................................................................................6
Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations........................................................................7
Definition of Terms................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2..........................................................................................................................................7
Introduction............................................................................................................................7
Historical development of the Topic: ....................................................................................8
Importance of the Study and Implication for Practice............................................................9
Directions for Future Research...............................................................................................9
Integrative and Critical elements............................................................................................9
Chapter 3: Research Method..........................................................................................................10
Research Design...................................................................................................................10
Appropriateness of Design...................................................................................................10
Procedure..............................................................................................................................10
The Role of the Researcher..................................................................................................10
Research Questions..............................................................................................................10
Hypotheses...........................................................................................................................11
Population and Sample.........................................................................................................11
Geographic or Virtual Location............................................................................................11
Instrumentation.....................................................................................................................11
Data Collection.....................................................................................................................11

Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................11
Human Participants and Ethics Precautions ........................................................................12
Validity and Reliability........................................................................................................12
Contribution to Social, Practice, or Organizational Change................................................12
Summary...............................................................................................................................12
Chapter 4: Results..........................................................................................................................12
General Description of the Participants................................................................................12
Research Questions..............................................................................................................13
Sample Size .........................................................................................................................13
Pilot Tests.............................................................................................................................13
Data Collection.....................................................................................................................14
Unit of Analysis and Measurement......................................................................................14
Data Analysis........................................................................................................................14
Coding and Codebook Generation.......................................................................................14
Qualitative Results................................................................................................................14
Themes Confirming the Literature.......................................................................................15
Results of Hypothesis Tests .................................................................................................15
Outliers.................................................................................................................................15
Validity and Reliability........................................................................................................15
Summary...............................................................................................................................15
Chapter 5: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations........................................................17
Ethical Dimensions...............................................................................................................17
Limitations............................................................................................................................17
Summary of Findings...........................................................................................................17
Explanation of Findings.......................................................................................................17
Research Question 1.............................................................................................................17
Research Question 2.............................................................................................................18
Research Question 3.............................................................................................................18
Research Question 4.............................................................................................................18
Recommendations................................................................................................................18
Suggestions for Future Research..........................................................................................18

Implications for Social, Practice, or Organizational Change...............................................19
Conclusions..........................................................................................................................19

Chapter 1: Introduction
Background of the Problem
Women those are holding prominent positions within the sector so they need to struggle
in order to get higher positions as they are lacking behind leadership development opportunities
and other challenges as well. Besides this role of women within authentic leadership is circulated
as performing temporary leadership obligations and in this manner career of women initiated to
grab various opportunities in IT sector (April and Sikatali, 2019).
Problem Statement
In IT sectors women are having immense opportunities are existed and in this manner
various leadership jobs are available as well. There are various job roles in IT sector for women
as this is leading them to develop their career. In authentic leadership style women are facing
different barriers such as cultural discrimination and gender discrimination and due to these
barriers obstacles are being seen by women in executing roles of authentic leadership.
Purpose of the Study
Research aim and objectives
Research aim: Main aim of this dissertation is "To explore women's lived experience within
their development as a Authentic leader in the field of information technology (IT).
Research Objectives:
 To develop basic knowledge regarding the information technology field.
 To determine women's lived experience in the IT field.
 To identify the ways that would be essential for women in development of their
Authentic leadership within IT field.
 To critically evaluate the role of women as an Authentic leader within the field of
information technology.
Nature of the Study
Purpose of the study is quantitative phenomena in which lived experience of women in
respect of IT executives in order to develop authentic leadership styles.

Significance of the Study
This research is associated with examining lived experience of women within industry of
IT that how they enhance their abilities of leadership so that to boost up overall career
opportunities. Besides this the research is aimed at providing understanding of how women are
able to attain succession over becoming successful leader. On the other hand this research is
significant to understand various problems which are related with societal and cultural barriers.
Research Questions
 What are the conceptual framework of information technology?
 What is the position of women lived experience within field of IT?
 What are the ways in which development can be exerted for women in the field of IT in
order to manage their authentic leadership?
 What are the roles of women as an authentic leader in the field of IT?
Brief Review of the Literature
According to Delmont(2016), there is high disparity existed within field of IT and in this
manner leadership positions are changing in equitable manner. Besides this it is also observed
that jobs within sector of IT is enhanced by 50% for women and this is the reason that around
40% of female are managing position of leaders within an organisation. IT sector is giving
immense latitudes to women so that to develop their career and lead in sufficient manner.
According to Brue and Brue(2016), women are playing significant role in managing IT
workforce which impacts the leadership and productivity of whole the organisation. IT is wholly
dedicated to problem solving, innovation and productivity due to this reason within industry of
IT women are preferred over leadership positions.
Conceptual Framework
This is being studied that roles of IT leadership is associated with providing innovations
and uniqueness due to which various aspects have exposed which are implicating leadership
roles within an organisation. In the context of this research the major understanding is related to:
 Examining of working environment which is required by women those are performing
job in IT sector and their leadership role in order to manage the whole workforce.
 Significance of women advocacy in order to execute roles of authentic leadership in
effective manner.

Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations
Assumptions: The major assumption undertaken within this research is to associate
questionnaire method so that to understand real life experience of women those are working in
IT sector. Assumptions are essential to be held so that to compare study with other work and
draw out effective conclusion as well.
Limitations: The major limitation faced within the research is associated with diversity
issues and time management issue. These are the issues which creates barrier in completing
overall research in effective manner. Besides this participants are reluctant to share their
experience due to which this is difficult to draw appropriateness within results.
Delimitations: Delimitations are defined as the aspects which are not regarded as the part
of the study as in this research only female employees with IT sectors are undertaken in order to
draw results for research problem and the rest population is Delimitations for current research.
Definition of Terms
IT is defined as the design and development of a system which is computer based system.
These are associated with hardware and software techniques and helpful for people to provide
high edge ease in completing assigned tasks.
Conclusion
This chapter is included with problem statement, background of the problem, research
aim, objectives and questions so as to examine women's lived experience within their
development as a Authentic leader in the field of information technology.
Chapter 2
Introduction
In changing environment needs and wants of people are changing where men and women
are filling their expectation by getting the opportunities. It has been seen that at some places
women employees are facing the challenges of discrimination, good opportunity, becoming a
authentic leader and others. In current environment female are also contributing in IT sector that
supports to improve economical condition of themselves as well as organisation. Information &
technology is effective sector where people brings something new and advance which can help to
increase the business activities and performance effectively (Dickens, Womack and Dimes,
2019).

Historical development of the Topic:
The history of the topic is related to giving the opportunities to women as they has also
good knowledge and experience in working and managing the all projects. The each era is
clearly mentioned and supporting to develop the livings of women in different areas.
Contemporary perspectives:
The current perspective is arranged to show the knowledge of women in IT sector as how they
adopt the new technology and techniques to handle the projects.
Literature Review
The conceptual framework of information technology?
As per view point of Hollis (2018), Information technology is used for storage, recover,
transfer and handle data. IT system help business to process large amount of data and in cloud
services to maintain and store their data. It includes hardware, software, operating system to give
useful information related to business. IT is a technology that used to communicate and secure
data which helps workers to solve issues with their devices that secure business information in
and efficient manner.
The position of women lived experience within field of IT?
According to Chin( 2020), In the IT sector women are showing their wider contribution
as it conduct the research and accept the changes by entering in to technology fields. By entering,
they build their career in IT field as all company needs male and female to handle the different
roles and responsibilities by using new technology. By managing all functions and activity
female staff is developing their experience level that provides the good opportunities in future
employment. The women are leading prior position as compare to others as they looks towards
new challenges at each era and make efforts to accomplish the objective that build good career.
The ways in which development can be exerted for women in the field of IT in order to manage
their authentic leadership?
As per opinion of Caldera (2018), For any business organization it is important to have
good knowledge about leadership and management that can help to build the different
opportunities in IT field by providing the job opportunities. Having management skills,
motivating employees, handling problems and using the new technology are ways which can be
use by female in order to perform their roles and responsibilities. It has been seen that gender
difference and gender segregation cause social value and beliefs that foster the idea of inequality

that affected the workplace profitability negatively. To become an authentic female leader there
should be maintain good relationships with followers and provide them effective solution of their
problems that leads authentic leadership in IT field.
What are the roles of women as an authentic leader in the field of IT?
According to Taylor (2018), the roles of women as an authentic leader in IT is vital as it
brings the new technology and process of running the business which can help to increase the
performance. The needs of customers and employees are changing where it is important for
authentic leader to understand their wants and make efforts to fill them. This can help to increase
the business performance and profitability by managing all functions. As a authentic leader all
conflicts among employees should be resolved and bring the changes easily in their activities that
provide higher profits.
Importance of the Study and Implication for Practice
The study about women living as an authentic leader is needed as it many challenges are
facing by female staff at workplace that are creating the disputes and affecting the organizational
activities. This study will help to develop the knowledge that about gender discrimination and
segregation that can be reduced by giving the various opportunities to such people. Moreover,
this might be influence the stakeholder by sharing knowledge and making right business decision
(Jeong and et.al., 2020).
Directions for Future Research
This is defined area where research is required to gather the information and data
regarding particular topic as it helps to take the right action. From the above discussion it has
suggested to management that should follow the principle of gender quality where all rights and
opportunities should be provide to female worker. This can help to increasing the women's
willing power to work efficiently and attaining the business goals. The management also needs
to focus on motivation and other task that can help to manage the all workings.
Integrative and Critical elements
In IT sector women have various opportunities in the form of leadership and management
jobs that needs to perform by using leadership skills and abilities. Different challenges are facing
by organisation as it does not follows employment regulation which are creating the problems in
managing roles and accepting changes. This affects the organisational performance negatively.

Chapter 3: Research Method
Research Methodology is conceptual framework for research that uses to identify, select,
process, and analyse the information about a particular topic. This allows a reader or researcher
to critically evaluate the overall study along with validity and reliability. In relation to research
about lived experiences of women in IT field, the researcher has conducted a research analysis
that have increased the knowledge in this filed and managing the project as well (Mruck and
Mey, 2019).
Research Design
The research design refers as main strategy that use to carry out the research and stating
the logical plan for handling research question by collecting, interpreting, analysis and discussing
the data. In relation to women position in IT field as an authentic leader, researcher has used the
questionnaire that increased the understanding.
Appropriateness of Design
This means design of conducting research should be appropriate and reliable which can
help to gather the right data and information. The investigator is using descriptive research
design which is validate and appropriate to manage the information (Ladkin, 2020).
Procedure
The researcher is following the procedure in relation to authentic leadership in which it
identify problems, collecting data, analyze them and taking the right action which can help to
complete the project timely (Pallavi, 2020).
The Role of the Researcher
The researcher is playing various role as identification of topic, critical study, using skills
to get optimum solution and collecting information and managing the all activities which are
involved in research that can help to make right decision.
Research Questions
This refers as specific inquiry that the research looking to provide a response properly.
To complete any project there is need to prepare some question basis of topic that can help to get

relevant response. Thus, researcher will prepare some question in context to women as authentic
leader that helps to complete the project (Lomotey, 2019).
Hypotheses
This defined as proposed explanation for a phenomenon which uses by individual to get
the satisfactory answers. The researcher will use the hypotheses data that can help to resolve the
problems and attaining goals.
Population and Sample
This entails number of respondents who are involved in particular project and make right
decision. The present research involves total 40 people from the population that have good
knowledge about employment regulation and managing gender equality. This supports to
maintain the good performance.
Geographic or Virtual Location
This refers as location which uses by researcher to conduct the research in relation to
particular topic. In relation to current research, investigator will use virtual and geographic
location that helps to complete the project on time (Mayo, 2018).
Instrumentation
This state as measurement tool which uses by researcher to obtain information on
interested topic by collecting information. Such as researcher will use questionnaire and scales to
obtain the data regarding women discrimination and segregation which helps to provide the
opportunities to women by following employment regulations (Bazhanov and Saksonova,
2020).
Data Collection
This is a method which uses by individual to gather the information and data for the
purpose of making right decisions. In relation to current research, investigator will use primary
data that can help to collect the right information.
Data Analysis
The researcher is using the statistical and prescriptive method to analyze the data in
relation to current research.

Human Participants and Ethics Precautions
In present research number of human participants such as researcher, respondent,
employees, management and leaders are also involved. All are following the ethical regulations
and proper management activities that supports to complete the study.
Validity and Reliability
The data which is collected by research are validate and reliable as it helps to develop the
understanding about women empowerment at workplace in completing the research (Akbarian,
2019).
Contribution to Social, Practice, or Organizational Change
This is important for authentic leader to focus on social values, practices and
organizational change by managing all functions and activities that can help to increase the
business performance. In relation to current research, investigator is following the change model
and social practices while studying about particular topic.
Summary
From the discussion it has analyzed that research has used all methodology in relation to
present research that helps to increase the understanding that how to develop the organizational
performance by providing equal opportunities to female (Beach and McConnel, 2019)
(Robertson-Randall, 2020).
Chapter 4: Results
The results are the outcomes which are receiving by individual and group by managing
the all functions and activities. This is important for all to identify the problems which occurs
while operation and make efforts to get the optimum solution which can provide good results.
The research is about lived experience of woman in IT sector that means now a days females
equal to males in each work. The females is having capability of developing business strategy by
identifying targets that can help to reach the targeted goals or objectives. The management of
organisation should give opportunities to all person by analysing their skills abilities that
supports to develop a business and obtain good performance (Nicholas, 2020).
General Description of the Participants
The meaning of participants are person or group of person who involved in particular
activity or event. While working any work there is need to know who are involved in the