Women and the glass ceiling in the community of Madrid hotel industry

Abstract

The hotel industry labour market has a strong female presence, although women have limited access to management positions. The gender gap in the industry must be identified in order to overcome it. This research is based on a census designed to analyse the participation of women in management positions at the corporate headquarters of hotel chains and 3, 4 and 5 star hotels (independent and related to a chain) in the community of Madrid. The study concludes that there is a glass ceiling due to the male dominance of management and the stereotyping of certain positions (vertical and horizontal segregation). Nevertheless, a change in the trend has been observed and new positions have appeared as a result of ITCs.