A case of multiple oppressions: women's career opportunities in Malaysian SME accounting firms

Abstract

While increasing numbers of women pursue careers in accounting in Malaysia, women remain under-represented in senior roles in Malaysian accounting firms. This paper explores women’s career progression to senior roles in Malaysian small and medium-sized accounting firms. In the context of the wider literature on women’s representation in paid work and accounting in western countries, and the limited research on women’s accounting careers in Malaysia, qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews were analysed to identify factors impacting women’s careers in Malaysian SME accounting firms. We contribute to theory through revealing the multiple oppressions women experience through the interaction of gendered work practices, competitive pressures, stereotypical beliefs, ethnic influences and family business in this particular cultural context. We argue that intersectionality is a useful concept to understand how gender, ethnicity and religion are simultaneously implicated in workplace practices. For meaningful change to occur, an integrated approach which allows for change at the individual, organisational and national levels needs to be supported.