The 'Glass Ceiling' of Women Quantity Surveyors: Myth or Reality?

Abstract

The glass ceiling remains a pervasive barrier to the advancement of women in the construction industry, despite their increasing entry into various professions within the sector. Despite the well-documented nature of the glass ceiling phenomenon, its specific impact on female Quantity Surveyors in the Nigerian construction industry remains a significant research gap. This study therefore empirically investigates the existence and underlying dynamics of this barrier for women Quantity Surveyors (QS). A pilot quantitative survey was administered through snow-ball sampling to female QS with over five years of experience and data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal a fundamental dichotomy in career trajectories: women who overcame the ceiling were driven by a desire for positive change, career progression, and continuous learning, whereas those who remained constrained cited a perceived immutability of the ceiling (lack of confidence) and family commitments that forced them to forgo opportunities. In conclusion, this research confirms the existence of a glass ceiling for women QS and uncover a fundamental divergence in career trajectories, determined by factors such as personal ambition versus constraints like low confidence and family duties. Consequently, it is recommended that female Quantity Surveyors be supported in pursuing leadership roles and continuous learning, whilst institutional support systems should be established to build confidence through structured mentorship and family-friendly policies.