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“It’s a Concrete Ceiling; It’s Not Even Glass”: Understanding Tenets of Organizational Culture That Supports the Progression of Women as Coaches and Coach Developers

Norman, Leanne; Rankin-Wright, Alexandra J.; Allison, Wayne

“It’s a Concrete Ceiling; It’s Not Even Glass”: Understanding Tenets of Organizational Culture That Supports the Progression of Women as Coaches and Coach Developers Thumbnail


Authors

Leanne Norman

Alexandra J. Rankin-Wright

Wayne Allison



Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore what particular areas of organizational cultures facilitate the development and progression of women as football coaches and coach developers. The English Football Association provided the context for the research. Previous statistics demonstrate that recruitment, retention, and progression of women in English football coaching and tutoring are lower and slower than their male counterparts. In-depth interviews were completed with 26 women coaches and coach developers during November 2015 and February 2016 to understand their personal experiences as linked to the structure and culture of their sporting governing body, and analyzed using Schein’s theory of organizational culture. Three key tenets of organizational culture were found to be most influential on the career development of the participants: journeys and crossroads (the establishment of a learning culture), inclusive leadership, and vertical and horizontal relationships. The research demonstrates the need to identify disparities between espoused values and assumptions to enact cultural change toward supporting more women to be valued, included, and progressed in the sporting workplace.

Citation

Norman, L., Rankin-Wright, A. J., & Allison, W. (2018). “It’s a Concrete Ceiling; It’s Not Even Glass”: Understanding Tenets of Organizational Culture That Supports the Progression of Women as Coaches and Coach Developers. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 42(5), 393-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723518790086

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 27, 2018
Online Publication Date Jul 26, 2018
Publication Date Oct 1, 2018
Deposit Date Aug 24, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Sport and Social Issues
Print ISSN 0193-7235
Electronic ISSN 1552-7638
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 42
Issue 5
Pages 393-414
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723518790086

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Copyright Statement
Norman, Leanne, Rankin-Wright, Alexandra J. & Allison, Wayne (2018). “It’s a Concrete Ceiling; It’s Not Even Glass” Understanding Tenets of Organizational Culture That Supports the Progression of Women as Coaches and Coach Developers. Journal of Sport and Social Issues 42(5): 393-414. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.




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