Glass ceiling
Ann Morrison and her colleagues in 1987 brought together various components under the term “glass ceiling” (Morrison et al. 1987). They refer to the invisible processes and factors that effectively prevent women from gaining access to management positions. These processes include the aspects already mentioned, but above all the male culture in companies. For example, men are often promoted by their male superiors, while women are denied career opportunities. The preference for male employees thus also leads to male status protection, securing the male core workforce and to a manifestation of the current situation at management levels.