Glass Ceiling Beliefs: Kazakh Women in Higher Education

Abstract

Background/purpose. This study represents the first comprehensive study investigating the beliefs about the glass ceiling (GCB) of women working in Kazakh universities. It aims to examine the theoretical validity of the multidimensional structure of GCB in Kazakhstan's higher education context. Materials/methods. The study evaluated the glass ceiling beliefs of female employees working in higher education institutions in Kazakhstan using the Career Paths Survey (CPS). Data were collected from 150 female employees. The first- and second-order confirmatory factor analysis findings conducted with CPS were determined using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM). Results. The present study's findings corroborate the existence of the glass ceiling phenomenon and its associated beliefs within the context of higher education in Kazakhstan. Additionally, the findings suggest that gender-based barriers impede women university staff from attaining senior positions. Conclusion. The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in higher education institutions is a pervasive phenomenon observed across the globe. It is important to understand the factors that impede women's access to leadership roles in higher education, particularly in light of Kazakhstan's prevailing social, political, and economic circumstances. Although the proportion of female administrators in Kazakhstani higher education is relatively high compared to other countries, it is evident that it does not align with the desired level. It can be posited that structural impediments, such as the glass ceiling phenomenon constrain the accessibility of women to tertiary education in Kazakhstan. © The Author(s), 2025.