Factors Affecting the Career Development of Female Graphic Designers A Mixed Methods Approach
Zhao, Yue (2021)
Zhao, Yue
Lapin yliopisto
2021
ISBN:978-952-337-226-9
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-337-226-9
https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-337-226-9
Tiivistelmä
Women usually excel in their studies but are less well represented in their careers, while skilled women frequently leave their working lives for a variety of reasons. This phenomenon has drawn particular attention in the field of professional graphic design (GD). This research seeks to discover why it is that female graphic designers hold lower status in the workforce than males and the possible reasons for this situation. The main goal of the research is to understand the characteristics of female graphic designers, their position in both school and work settings, and the possible reasons for their lower status in the workplace. These questions will be considered from both an international and cultural perspective. The results will help female GD students and designers to become more aware of the challenges facing their career development. Additionally, the study will provide ideas for professional educators, managers, and institutions to help female graphic designers improve their abilities and their competitiveness in the career space.
This research employed a mixed method approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The investigation used a comparative approach and conducted surveys in both Finland and China. The survey for Chapter 4 was conducted in Finland, while for Chapter 5, 6 and 7, surveys were conducted in both countries. The four chapters all support the main research goal in combination, and 482 participants responded to the research survey. In Chapter 4, the research employed an ethnographic approach to collect qualitative data (number of participants = 98) to understand the relationship between the study setting and the work setting in the career process. In Chapter 5, the research utilized a story-writing method to collect vivid narrative data (number of participants = 140), which provided rich and detailed data on the personal characteristics and career perspectives of female graphic designers. These findings were used to explore the reasons for female graphic designers having less confidence in themselves. In Chapter 6, it used a mixed methods approach to collect qualitative data (number of participants = 126) and quantitative data (number of participants = 76) to reveal the internal factors in female graphic designers that result in their lower status in the work setting. In Chapter 7, the study used interviews to collect qualitative data (number of participants = 42) in both countries in order to understand the impact of family and culture on the career development of female graphic designers.
The findings of this research are presented in three main themes: 1) the lower status of female graphic designers in the labor force is a global issue, and their performance in the study setting is an indicator of the situation in the work setting; 2) the reasons for their lower representation in the labor force include their lack of self-confidence and also the impact of family; and 3) internal factors play a role in women’s career process and show strong connections with gender and culture.
The results of this research provide a good understanding of the characteristics of female graphic designers and the factors that affect their career process. Its findings are relevant for professional educators and managers and also for institutions that are trying to implement methods to improve the competitiveness of female graphic designers throughout their careers.
This research employed a mixed method approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The investigation used a comparative approach and conducted surveys in both Finland and China. The survey for Chapter 4 was conducted in Finland, while for Chapter 5, 6 and 7, surveys were conducted in both countries. The four chapters all support the main research goal in combination, and 482 participants responded to the research survey. In Chapter 4, the research employed an ethnographic approach to collect qualitative data (number of participants = 98) to understand the relationship between the study setting and the work setting in the career process. In Chapter 5, the research utilized a story-writing method to collect vivid narrative data (number of participants = 140), which provided rich and detailed data on the personal characteristics and career perspectives of female graphic designers. These findings were used to explore the reasons for female graphic designers having less confidence in themselves. In Chapter 6, it used a mixed methods approach to collect qualitative data (number of participants = 126) and quantitative data (number of participants = 76) to reveal the internal factors in female graphic designers that result in their lower status in the work setting. In Chapter 7, the study used interviews to collect qualitative data (number of participants = 42) in both countries in order to understand the impact of family and culture on the career development of female graphic designers.
The findings of this research are presented in three main themes: 1) the lower status of female graphic designers in the labor force is a global issue, and their performance in the study setting is an indicator of the situation in the work setting; 2) the reasons for their lower representation in the labor force include their lack of self-confidence and also the impact of family; and 3) internal factors play a role in women’s career process and show strong connections with gender and culture.
The results of this research provide a good understanding of the characteristics of female graphic designers and the factors that affect their career process. Its findings are relevant for professional educators and managers and also for institutions that are trying to implement methods to improve the competitiveness of female graphic designers throughout their careers.
Kokoelmat
- Väitöskirjat [390]