Organisational Factors Affecting Female Academic’s Performance at a Higher Education Institution in South Africa

This paper aims to identify the organizational factors affecting female academic performance at a higher education institution in South Africa, amidst the longstanding challenges women face in academia. Despite being often categorized as underachievers, female academics are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles. This study employs an exploratory research design with a qualitative methodology, involving semi-structured interviews with fifteen female academics. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key factors affecting their performance. The findings revealed that resource allocation and accessibility, training and development, leadership style and supervisor and financial support for projects are factors affecting female academics’ performance at a higher education institution. The paper recommends that institutional management critically review employment policies and establish programs designed to empower female academics. The paper contributes to the body of knowledge on gender equity in higher education, and strategies that institutions and policymakers can use to enhance and optimize the performance of female academics. By fostering more equitable working conditions, this study seeks to promote greater representation and success of women in academic leadership roles.