Setting Women Up for Success: How Career Patterns Influence Women CEOs’ Tenure
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2025-07-17
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en
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Despite growing efforts towards gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior management positions, accounting for just 8.5% of CEOs in the European Union. This thesis investigates how organisational mobility influences the tenure of women CEOs, offering a gender-specific perspective on career success. Building on boundaryless career theory, two hypotheses are developed and tested using data from 295 women CEOs in publicly listed EU firms appointed between 2010 and 2020. The findings reveal a negative relationship between organisational mobility and CEO tenure. While mobility may be an important strategy for overcoming structural barriers and accessing leadership roles, it appears to undermine long-term success. Additionally, the percentage of women on the boards does not significantly influence this relationship. These results challenge assumptions about the benefits of boundaryless careers for women and point to the value of internal networks, firm-specific experience and supportive institutional environments. The study concludes with practical suggestions for leadership development and organisational support that help women not just reach but stay in CEO positions.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen