The role of transformational leadership in overcoming the glass ceiling effect - A research on women leaders working in the it sector

Research results indicate that the represented women rates in senior management are lower than the men. The reasons of the lower rates are identified as Glass Ceiling Effect in literature. Due to the fact that they are not formal procedures but perceived by women they are called 'invisible'. They are commonly classified as Social, Organizational and Government factors. The main subject of this study is to investigate the role of Transformational Leadership in overcoming the Glass Ceiling Effect. The Transformational Leadership Approach developed by Bernard Bass (1985); is a popular leadership style in today's turbulent era. The latest researches show that the women managers are tend to Transformational Leadership. The popular leadership style of the uncertainty environments is researched in IT; the sector that achieves the rapid growth. Hence, semi-structured interviews are held with 14 women senior executives that are selected by Purposive Sampling Method. The data is analysed by following the Grounded Theory approach, a kind of Qualitative Method. The results of the research indicates that women are most affected by Individual Glass Ceiling Women are constructing their own barriers. The leaders that have not perceived these barriers or overcome them exhibit Transformational Leadership behaviors. The instincts of women and the components of Transformational Leadership are very well harmonized. Key words: The Glass Ceiling Effect, Transformational Leadership, IT Sector, The Grounded Theory