The greatest percentage of women in senior management is in the Philippines where women hold 47% of senior positions (see chart 1). They are followed by Russia (42%) and Thailand (38%)
New research from Grant Thornton International reveals that women still hold less than a quarter of senior management positions in privately held businesses globally. 24% of senior management positions are currently held by women - a figure identical to 2007 and only a marginal improvement from 2004 when only 19% of senior level positions were held by women. 34% of privately held businesses globally have no women in senior management.
The greatest percentage of women in senior management is in the Philippines where women hold 47% of senior positions (see chart 1). They are followed by Russia (42%) and Thailand (38%). The lowest percentage continues to be in Japan where only 7% of senior management positions are held by women. Also appearing low down the league table are Denmark (13%) and Belgium (12%).
Among the metros in India, Chennai tops the list of women at 22% followed by Delhi (18%) and Bangalore (16%) of the total number of people participating in the senior management of the business.
Commenting on the trend Karishma R Phatarphekar, Partner, Grant Thornton India said, “Though an increasing number of women are in senior most positions today, it’s still male dominated at the top since most women have to cope with multi tasking and strike a balance between personal and professional life. In the end, only the toughest and fittest survive".
Women have become most successful in increasing their share of senior management roles in Turkey (up from 17% in 2007 to 29% in 2009) and Mexico (20% in 2007 to 31%), see chart 2. The biggest falls were in Brazil, where the figure fell from 42% in 2007 to 29% in 2009, and Hong Kong (falling from 35% in 2007 to 28% in 2009).
The Grant Thornton International Business Report is an annual survey of the views of senior executives in privately held businesses all over the world. Launched in 1992 in nine European countries the report now surveys over 7,200 PHBs in 36 economies providing territory, regional and global trend data on the economic and commercial issues affecting a sector often described as the 'engine' of the world's economy. Data for eight key industry sectors will be available for the first time in 2009.
The research is conducted by Experian Business Strategies Ltd. Grant Thornton International donates US$5 to UNICEF for every Women still hold less than a quarter of senior management positions in privately held businesses
