What affects female middle managers’ career opportunities in the banking sector. A comparative case study of Sweden and Estonia from the view of female managers

Abstract: How far European countries have come in their work with gender equality varies. This paper compares female middle managers’ career opportunities in one of the European countries that is in the fore front when speaking of gender equality, Sweden, with another country who has a bit more to work with, Estonia. This thesis is conducted as a case study at Swedbank and therefore focuses on female middle managers’ career opportunities in the banking sector in the two selected countries. During the study, qualitative and open interviews were conducted with eight women working at Swedbank; four Swedish and four Estonian. The results of these interviews were then analyzed and compared with relevant theories related to female management, for example The Glass Ceiling Theory and The Social Role Theory. The essay also contains a comparative analysis of the two countries, where the aim is to find out what the basis for the differences in the observance of gender equality is. The study found that the countries' different histories have contributed to the current gender equality situation in the two countries. Common to both countries is that parental leave is something that affects women's careers. It appears that in both countries there is a norm that women are the ones who are on parental leave, although this norm is much stronger in Estonia. There are also stereotypes and preconceptions about women's characteristics and toward their leadership style. This as well affects women's career opportunities.