Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Applied Engineering and Technology Management

First Advisor

Barbara A. W. Eversole

Second Advisor

Cindy L. Crowder

Third Advisor

Curtis W. Bradford

Abstract

This research aimed to understand women’s transition to motherhood in the North American construction industry. This study sought to understand what it means to be a woman working in the construction industry while making the transition to motherhood, experiences of re-entry into the workplace, emergent essential themes, and the way women interpret their career decisions and opportunities leading up to, during, and following their transition to motherhood. A qualitative research design was employed to analyze the complexities and dimensions of complex career decisions, and the phenomenological research method was used to understand the full extent of the problem. A total of 34 research participants were interviewed, with their interviews transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Five major themes emerged from the interviews, including (1) trying to meet industry demands, norms, and expectations, (2) navigating being the first, the only, and setting standards, (3) strategizing ways to fit motherhood into a construction career and find balance, (4) mother’s enjoyment of and positive contributions to the project, company, and industry, and (5) challenges and obstacles encountered for career growth and equity. Findings also showed that women’s career goals change as they become mothers, typically working long hours in their early career, then looking for increased work-life balance as they become mothers. The findings suggest that women in the industry who became mothers are slowing down their career advancement to reduce work-life conflict, indicating that new mothers want to remain in the industry, making adjustments to their work schedules or moving laterally within their company. However, lateral moves through glass walls may lead to roles with glass ceilings, limiting long-term career growth and the number of women in leadership roles. The information obtained in this study can provide rich information on ways companies and human resource departments can develop policies and support for new working mothers in the construction industry. These discussions contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding motherhood and women in construction; no study had been found that looked specifically at mother’s experiences within the construction industry.

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