Beyond Glass Ceilings and Brick Walls - International Labour ...

What was happening was that in most organizations, a department is
made responsible for the well-being of all workers, and they decide what
concerns for all employees of the organization. Often these divisions do not
approach challenges from a gender sensitive perspective. The lack of
appropriate structures hinders women from getting into management positions.
10. Research and Information
The importance of assessing appropriate information to take decisions is well
recognized. All organizations studied had the benefit of being members of the
Chamber of Commerce which provides organizational management support
services including information on business and markets. Mechanisms for research
on human relations, organizational culture and gender were not in place among
the organizations studied. All organizations monitor their outputs, feedback
from clients and customers, as well as market opportunities.
However, organizational culture and structures were not a focus of research.
This does not appear to be part of the organizational culture of the federations
of organizations that make the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka
or the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Information required for decision-making at the organizational level is generated
from within and not based on rigorous and objective research approaches.
The organizations do have access to journals and bulletins that provide
information on management. However, only a few researchers contribute to
their forums. The capabilities of organizations and collectives to do their own
research are limited.
11. Education and Training
The quality and effectiveness of organizations depend on the skills and attitudes
of the employees. At recruitment, the organization can identify candidates with
appropriate skills. However, once recruited, to be effective and up to date with
new information and methods, training throughout the career is necessary.
This is so due to the information boom and rapid transformation and improvement
in technology and communication. The formal education sector is considered
to be ineffective in providing the training required by employees to a rapidly
changing world of work.
Some organizations in the private sector as well as individuals are undertaking
various programmes to inform and educate prospective employees of the
expectations of work organizations and employers in general. However, these
programmes are mostly limited to the urban area. A stronger functional link
between educational institutions and organizations that recruit persons for various
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