A Decomposition of Socially Constructed Image of Omani Female Professionals: Multidimensional Tension Embedded

Victoria Dauletova*, Ibtisam Al Wahaibi, Adil S. Al-Busaidi, Dalal Al Khatri

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper strives to present voices of Omani female professionals with the purpose of gaining deeper understanding of their aspirations, fears, and drives through a decomposition and further exploration of the construct of working females. The content obtained from one WhatsApp group discussion (9 participants) and two focus group discussions (13 participants) has been analyzed and categorized into three types of images - self-image of female professionals; image of female professionals through the eyes of males as inferred and interpreted by females themselves; image of female professionals through the eyes of another female. The emerged themes accompanied by communicative strategies confirm an on-going gender struggle in the country’s professional context. It also captures the inconsistencies and conflicting narratives embedded in the construct of Omani female professionals. The findings challenge traditional gender hierarchies and add to the discussion on the engagement of traditionally disadvantaged groups.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)294-308
Number of pages15
JournalHoward Journal of Communications
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 1 2021

Keywords

  • Gendered organizations
  • Omani female professionals
  • conflicting discourses
  • gender inequality
  • patriarchal societal and organizational contexts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Communication
  • Strategy and Management

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