A Bibliometric Investigation of the Roles and Obstacles of Women's Leadership in the Corporate Sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47703/ejebs.v69i4.571Keywords:
Women's Leadership, Corporate Governance, Gender Economy, Gender Inequality, Bibliometric Analysis, Intersectionality, AsiaAbstract
This article uses a bibliometric approach to identify the roles of women in leadership and the various challenges they face in corporate management. The study's goal is to determine the leading countries, commonly used keywords, research trends and the dynamics of the growth of scientific papers on this subject over the previous fifteen years (2010–2025). To process and analyse data from the Scopus database, programs like VOSviewer and Bibliometrix (R Studio) were used. As a result of the analysis of 1,036 scientific publications, key research trends, the most productive countries and frequently used keywords were identified. It was found that despite the growing representation of women in leadership, structural barriers, gender inequality, and cultural and social constraints remain. The geographical and thematic differentiation of publications indicates the global importance of the topic under consideration and the interdisciplinary nature of the research. The bibliometric approach enabled the identification of the main research clusters: gender stereotypes and discrimination, institutional barriers, and the phenomenon of the “glass ceiling”. The findings highlight a growing interdisciplinary interest linking gender economics, corporate governance, and organizational psychology. Additionally, using the bibliometric technique, the study identifies scientific focus, research gaps, and prospects. Future research should focus on in-depth analysis of under-researched topics such as intersectionality and mentoring, as well as on developing practical tools to overcome structural and cultural barriers in women's leadership.
Downloads
References
Akindote, O. J., Adegbite, A. O., Dawodu, S. O., Omotosho, A., & Anyanwu, A. (2023). Innovation in data storage technologies: from cloud computing to edge computing. Computer science & IT research journal, 4(3), 273-299. https://doi.org/10.51594/csitrj.v4i3.661
Alsadaan, N., Jones, L. K., Kimpton, A., & DaCosta, C. (2021). Challenges facing the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia: an integrative review. Nursing Reports, 11(2), 395-403. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep11020038
Alzaaqi, S.M., Sheerah, H.A., Arafa, A., Alqahtani, D.M., Alqadi, S.A., Alsalamah, H.A., Ismail, E.H., Nouh, M.A., & Alsalamah, S. (2025). Empowering Women in the Saudi Health Sector: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Interventions. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 15(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00361-6
Anzari, P. P., & Fitri, R. (2024). Empowering Women Leadership Through Community Mobilization to Prevent Early Marriage. KnE Social Sciences, 9(23), 221-238. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v9i23.16710
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of informetrics, 11(4), 959-975. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JOI.2017.08.007
Borger, J. G., Longley, R. J., Taylor, M. F., Motrich, R., Payne, J. A., & Kemp, R. A. (2025). Global perspectives to enhance strategies for advancing women in healthcare and STEMM leadership. Immunology and cell biology, 103(3), 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1111/imcb.12854
Chikwe, C. F., Eneh, N. E., & Akpuokwe, C. U. (2024). Navigating the double bind: Strategies for women leaders in overcoming stereotypes and leadership biases. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 18(3), 159-172. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2024.18.3.0103
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of business research, 133, 285-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JBUSRES.2021.04.070
Edacherian, S., Karna, A., Uhlenbruck, K., & Sharma, S. (2025). Women at multiple levels of strategic leadership: evidence of gender spillovers. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 33(1), 6-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/corg.12584
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. United Nations: Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/genderequality/#:~:text=At%20the %20current%20rate%2C%20it,achieve%20equal%20representation%20in%20national
Hillman, A. J. (2015). Board Diversity: Beginning to Unpeel the Onion. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 23(2), 104–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/corg.12090
Howard, L. (2025). Authenticity and woman’s leadership: a qualitative study of professional business services in the UK. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 17(1), 67-81. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwam-09-2023-0092
Keating, J. A., Jasper, A., Musuuza, J., Templeton, K., & Safdar, N. (2022). Supporting midcareer women faculty in academic medicine through mentorship and sponsorship. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 42(3), 197-203. https://doi.org/10.1097/CEH.0000000000000419
Kraus, S., Bouncken, R. B., & Yela Aránega, A. (2024). The burgeoning role of literature review articles in management research: an introduction and outlook. Review of Managerial Science, 18(2), 299-314 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00729-1
Krivkovich. A., Field. E., Yee. L., McConnell. M., & Smith. H. (2024). Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th Anniversary Report. Mckinsey. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and inclusion/women-in-the-workplace
Lee, H.W., Kim, J., Lee, H., Triana, M., & Choi, J.N. (2025). When Employee Gender Diversity Benefits Collective Performance: The Importance of the Proportion of Women in Top Management Teams. Personnel Psychology, 78(3), 305-330. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12677
Maheshwari, G., Nayak, R., & Ngyyen, T. (2021). Review of research for two decades for women leadership in higher education around the world and in Vietnam: a comparative analysis. Gender in management: an international journal, 36(5), 640-658. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-04-2020-0137
Manfreda, A., Wang, D., Zhang, Y., & Ma, E. (2025). Unraveling women (in) leadership in tourism and hospitality: A retrospect and outlook. The Service Industries Journal, 45(9-10), 751-778. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2024.2357584
Mashele, W., & Alagidede, I. P. (2022). The appropriate leadership styles in times of crisis: a study of women in senior leadership positions in corporate South Africa. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 37(4), 494-508. https://doi.org/10.1108/gm-02-2021-0031
Mobaraki, A. E., & Söderfeldt, B. (2010). Gender inequity in Saudi Arabia and its role in public health. Eastern Mediterranean health journal, 16(1), 113-118. https://doi.org/10.26719/2010.16.1.113
Mukherjee, D., Lim, W. M., Kumar, S., & Donthu, N. (2022). Guidelines for advancing theory and practice through bibliometric research. Journal of business research, 148, 101-115.
Nailah, N., & Rusydiana, A. S. (2020, November). The Zakat & Technology. In Indonesian Conference of Zakat-Proceedings (pp. 311-330).
Offringa, S., & Groeneveld, S. (2023). Are Leadership Preferences Gendered? A Conjoint Analysis of Employee Preferences for Manager Characteristics in Male- and Female-Dominated Public Sub-Sectors in the Netherlands. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 44(4), 740-767. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X231182970
Ozturk, O. (2021). Bibliometric review of resource dependence theory literature: an overview. Management Review Quarterly, 71(3), 525-552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-020-00192-8
Ramseook-Munhurrun, P., Naidoo, P., & Armoogum, S. (2025). Navigating the challenges of female leadership in the information and communication technology and engineering sectors. Journal of Business and Socio-economic Development, 5(1), 55-70. https://doi.org/10.1108/jbsed-03-2023-0014
Russen, M., Dawson, M., & Madera, J. M. (2021). Gender diversity in hospitality and tourism top management teams: A systematic review of the last 10 years. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 95, 102942. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHM.2021.102942
Sil, N., & Lenka, U. (2025). Transitioning from subjectivity to objectivity: empowering women in academic leadership. IIM Ranchi journal of management studies, 4(2), 127-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/irjms-09-2024-0117
Singh, R., Zhang, Y., Wan, M., & Fouad, N. A. (2018). Why do women engineers leave the engineering profession? The roles of work–family conflict, occupational commitment, and perceived organizational support. Human resource management, 57(4), 901-914. https://doi.org/10.1002/HRM.21900
Smidt, T. B., Pétursdóttir, G. M., & Einarsdóttir, Þ. (2017). How do you take time? Work–life balance policies versus neoliberal, social and cultural incentive mechanisms in Icelandic higher education. European Educational Research Journal, 16(2-3), 123-140. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474904116673075
Smith, S. G., & Sinkford, J. C. (2022). Gender equality in the 21st century: Overcoming barriers to women's leadership in global health. Journal of Dental Education, 86(9), 1144-1173. https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.13059
Thien, L. M., Lim, H. L., Ahmad Shabudin, A. F., Che Aman, R., Ismail, A., Zuharah, W. F., & Muftahu, M. (2025). Women leadership in higher education: exploring enablers and challenges from middle-level academics’ perspective. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04278-6
Times Higher Education. (2021) International Women’s Day: Top universities led by women. Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/top-10-universities-led-women
Tomás, M., Lavie, J. M., Duran, M. D. M., & Guillamon, C. (2010). Women in academic administration at the university. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 38(4), 487-498. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143210368266
Triana, M.D., Miller, T.L., & Trzebiatowski, T.M. (2013). The Double- Edged Nature of Board Gender Diversity: Diversity, Firm Performance, and the Power of Women Directors as Predictors of Strategic Change. Organization Science, 25(2), 609–632. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2013.0842
Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. scientometrics, 84(2), 523-538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
Wolfram, H.-J., & Gratton, L. (2013). Gender Role Self-Concept, Categorical Gender, and Transactional-Transformational Leadership: Implications for Perceived Workgroup Performance. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 21(4), 338-353. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051813498421
How to Cite
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
