Abstract
South Africa has in the last 13 years experienced rapid changes in various spheres
including the political, social and economic spheres. These changes constantly
pose a challenge to the status quo and more so, in the socio-economic arena. This
implies that, in business, the impact of utilising all the available resources, in
particular the human resources efficiently, has to be constantly reviewed in line with
these changes. Women as part of the previously marginalised human resource are
increasingly raising questions about their roles and their participation in the
economy of the country. Various organisations such as the Commission on Gender
Equality, Gender Links, Business Women’s Association and many other state
agencies are creating opportunities that allow women to debate and express
women’s issues and concerns constructively. These issues and concerns range
broadly from matters on health, safety, education, employment and so on, to
specific issues that affect particular sectors, in this instance, issues affecting
women in the corporate communication environment.
In this study the manner in which women in the filed of corporate communication
perceive their roles is examined. A qualitative strategy is used to explore the
perceptions of all the selected participants who practise corporate communication
in various industries, in the Greater Johannesburg area. The criteria and method of
selecting the sample is clarified in the research methodology section. Existing
literature about the field of corporate communication and about the roles of women
in the workplace is reviewed to obtain understanding of the current scenario. The
theories of feminism are also studied carefully in order to gain in-depth
understanding about the relevant theoretical framework.
The outcome of this study will be utilised to advance debates and dialogues about
the status and role of women not only in the corporate communication environment,
but also in the socio-political and socio-economic spheres.
Dr. Ilse Niemann-Struweg