Women managers in Israel

Abstract

The objective of the research is to examine Israeli women in management, and to illuminate the problems that characterize both women on their way to the top and those who have already reached t he top. In order to see whether Israel is different from other countries in this aspect, I present a comparison between women managers worldwide, followed by a survey of the Israeli social infrastructures which deal with working women compared with those in the United States. Four portraits of women executives illustrate characteristic struggles and conflicts in the career life of Israeli women. Regarding the comparison between Israeli and North American career women, in addition to a great deal of similarity I also find differences which result from both institutional and ideological attitudes concerning family roles. Finally, the research explores the explanations for lack of women in top management positions and offers recommendations.