FROM TOKENISM TO TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP: EXAMINING THE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES, PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY, AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE IT INDUSTRY
https://doi.org/10.65725/JCMCE/2/4/018
JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY TRENDS IN MANAGEMENT, COMMERCE AND ECONOMICS (JCMCE)
ISSN: 3108-3501
Volume 2 Issue 4, October -December 2026
Abstract:
The increasing participation of women in the Information Technology (IT) industry has contributed to workforce diversity; however, numerical representation does not necessarily ensure meaningful inclusion, leadership participation, or career advancement. Women professionals may continue to experience tokenism through heightened visibility, gender stereotyping, social isolation, unequal recognition, and restricted access to influential networks. In this context, psychological safety may play an important role in shaping women’s willingness to express ideas, participate in decision-making, exercise leadership, and pursue career opportunities. The present study examines the interrelationships among tokenism, leadership experiences, psychological safety, transformational leadership, and career advancement among women professionals in the IT industry.
The study adopts a descriptive and explanatory research design using a quantitative approach. Primary data will be collected through a structured questionnaire administered to women professionals working across different functional and organizational levels within the IT industry. The instrument will measure perceived tokenism, leadership experiences, psychological safety, transformational leadership, and career advancement using a five-point Likert scale. Secondary data will be obtained from peer-reviewed literature, academic publications, industry reports, and other credible sources. The collected data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability and validity analysis, correlation, regression, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), and mediation analysis.
The study specifically examines the relationship between perceived tokenism and psychological safety and assesses the influence of leadership practices on psychological safety and career advancement. It further investigates whether psychological safety mediates the relationship between women’s leadership experiences and career advancement. Transformational leadership is considered as an important organizational approach involving individualized consideration, empowerment, recognition, intellectual stimulation, participation, and developmental support. Selected demographic and occupational characteristics will also be examined to identify variations in women’s workplace experiences.
The study is expected to contribute to the literature by integrating tokenism, psychological safety, leadership experiences, transformational leadership, and career advancement within the IT industry context. It seeks to provide a framework for understanding how organizational leadership practices and psychological conditions may influence women’s meaningful participation and career progression. The study also offers practical implications for IT organizations by highlighting the importance of transparent career systems, leadership development, mentoring and sponsorship, employee-voice mechanisms, equitable access to developmental opportunities, and inclusive leadership practices in supporting sustainable women’s leadership and career advancement.
Authors: A S Usha Sree, Dr. S. Remigius Mary
Keywords: Women in IT, Tokenism, Psychological Safety, Transformational Leadership, Women’s Leadership, Career Advancement, Gender Diversity, Workplace Inclusion, Leadership Experiences, Gender Stereotyping, Employee Voice, Mentoring and Sponsorship, Organizational Culture, Gender Equality, Women Professionals in the IT Industry.