Gender Dynamics and Organizational Support: A Triangulated Study of Women’s Work Environments

This exploratory study looks at how women work in Maharashtra’s manufacturing sector, particularly emphasizing how their workplace experiences are shaped by organizational support and gender dynamics. Grounded in Social Role Theory and complemented by Social Exchange Theory, the study explores how societal gender norms and views of organizational reciprocity affect women’s career satisfaction and advancement. We collected responses from 170 employees through semi-structured interviews, including 6 female employees, as part of a mixed-methods design. These responses were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative tools such as ATLAS.ti and SPSS 26. Findings reveal persistent barriers to women’s advancement despite progressive organizational policies, with concentration in lower-tier roles and concerns about pay equity and promotion opportunities. Structured managerial feedback emerged as a key factor in enhancing career attractiveness, while women with higher education levels demonstrated greater criticality toward structural and cultural barriers. Triangulated insights highlight the importance of hiring women and reforming organizational systems through transparent promotion pathways, skill-upgradation programs, inclusive leadership, and family-supportive policies such as childcare and transport facilities. The study contributes theoretically by integrating Social Role Theory with Social Exchange Theory to show how societal expectations and reciprocal organizational practices jointly shape women’s workplace experiences. Practically, it provides context-specific recommendations for Indian manufacturing firms to create more equitable and supportive environments.