Breaking the TMT glass ceiling: Myth or reality? Female CEOs, decision authority, and family firms

Paola Rovelli and Marco Mismetti

Journal of Business Research, 2025, vol. 192, issue C

Abstract: Women can bring significant benefits to organizations but continue to face barriers to breaking the glass ceiling at the TMT level. Drawing on the attraction-selection-attrition model and role congruity theory, we examine whether the presence of a female CEO is associated with higher female representation in the TMT and how the CEO’s decision authority influences this relationship. Analyzing survey data from 153 Italian firms, our results confirm a positive relationship between the presence of a female CEO and TMT female representation and a positive moderating effect of the CEO’s decision authority on this relationship. Nevertheless, these effects lose significance in family firms, suggesting that these organizations may be less conducive to promoting gender equality. Our findings contribute to the literature at the intersection of gender, organizational design, and family business.

Keywords: Female CEO; TMT female representation; Attraction-selection-attrition model; Role congruity theory; Decision authority; Family firms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:192:y:2025:i:c:s014829632500147x

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115324

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