Women in construction management: An examination of self-efficacy and perceived barriers

The goal of this research study was to investigate and expand the existing body of knowledge concerning the occupational choice of women in a severely under-represented, nontraditional, career field, namely construction management. Data were collected from 155 respondents employed in the construction industry as (a) construction clerical/office workers, (b) construction field workers, and (c) construction apprentices/trades people. All were currently working within the construction industry in the state of Missouri. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in this study. Methods used were: (a) a focus group study in which participants were allowed to conduct in-depth discussions on self-efficacy and perceived barriers facing women wishing to choose a career in construction management, and (b) a structured, anonymous, survey administered via telephone. One-way MANOVAs were used to determine if there were differences in the confidence levels of women working in the construction industry as either clerical/office workers or apprentices/trades people regarding the completion of construction management tasks. t-tests were used to determine if there were differences in the confidence level of women working as clerical/office workers and apprentices/trades people, regarding the completion of math courses and math tasks surrounding a career in construction management. Two-way MANOVAs were used to determine if there were differences in perceived barriers of men and women working within the construction industry as (a) clerical/office workers, (b) field workers, or (c) apprentices/trades people. In addition, Spearman rho statistics were used to determine any relationship between selected “general information” factors.