Bangkok--10 Mar--Grant Thornton
New research from Grant Thornton International reveals that Thailand ranked third globally for senior positions held by women with 38%, compared to the world’s standard of 24%. The greatest percentage of women in senior management is in the Philippines where women hold 47% of senior positions (see chart 1). They are followed by Russia (42%), Thailand (38%) and Poland (32%). The lowest percentage continues to be in Japan where only 7% of senior management positions are held by women. Also appearing low down the league table are Denmark (13%) and Belgium (12%).
Worldwide, women still hold less than a quarter of senior management positions in privately held businesses. 24% of senior management positions are currently held by women — the same figure as in 2007 and only a marginal improvement from 2004 when 19% of senior level positions were held by women. 34% of privately held businesses globally have no women in senior management.
Said Pinpradab Chotiprasidhi, a partner in Grant Thornton in Thailand, "Thai culture is quite open to women taking leadership positions. We see female senior management in many organizations across different sectors, e.g. retail, government, financial services and even manufacturing. Women leaders tend to pay attention to detail, while demonstrating strong commitment and determination. This enables them to deal with complex issues. Being a good listener and the ability to handle conflicts in a more gentle way enables women to gain support from diverse groups in the organization.”
Women have become most successful in increasing their share of senior management roles in Turkey (up from 17% in 2007 to 29% in 2009) and Mexico (20% in 2007 to 31%), see chart 2. The biggest falls were in Brazil, where the figure fell from 42% in 2007 to 29% in 2009, and Hong Kong (falling from 35% in 2007 to 28% in 2009). For Thailand, the numbers do not show significant change (39% in 2007 and 38% in 2009).
Pinpradab added: “The high number of Thai woman executives is supported by many factors. One such factor is that the Thai culture’s extended family structure where grandparents lend support looking after young children when mothers go out to work. Also the availability of external helper support, e.g., nannies, nurseries or childcare, are available and are quite affordable compared to some other parts of the world”
The Grant Thornton International Business Report is an annual survey of the views of senior executives in businesses all over the world. Launched in 1992 in nine European countries the report now surveys over 7,200 PHBs in 36 economies providing territory, regional and global trend data on the economic and commercial issues affecting a sector often described as the 'engine' of the world's economy. Data for eight key industry sectors will be available for the first time in 2009. The research is conducted by Experian Business Strategies Ltd. Grant Thornton International donates US$5 to UNICEF for every completed IBR questionnaire, a donation of over US$39,000 in 2008.
To find out more about the Grant Thornton International Business Report, please visit www.internationalbusinessreport.com. This press release can also be downloaded at www.grantthornton.co.th/press.
About Grant Thornton in Thailand:
Grant Thornton in Thailand is well recognized by the business community as one of the leading professional service firms in Thailand and has been in Thailand since 1991. We helped many clients successfully navigate the Asian economic crisis of the late 1990s, applying a mixture of techniques, including debt restructuring, cost cutting and business plan revision. We have also helped many clients realise acquisition and expansion opportunities.
Our services include business consulting, external and internal auditing service, domestic and international tax planning, corporate finance advisory, restructuring and reorganization, merger and acquisition, executive recruitment, succession planning and remuneration planning. To learn more about our firm, please visit our web site: www.grantthornton.co.th
Further enquiries, please contact:
Pinpradab Chotiprasidhi Lakpilai Worasaphya
Partner Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Grant Thornton Grant Thornton
T: 02 205 8270 T: 02 205 8142
E: [email protected] E: [email protected]
Christine Hobart
International communications manager
T: +44 (0) 20 7391 9548
M: +44 (0) 79 0005 2240
E: [email protected]