Facing the Queen Bee Phenomenon? The relationship between women politicians in Brazil

Abstract Purpose: This research aims to analyze the relationship between women and their colleagues in the Brazilian political context from the perspective of the Queen Bee Phenomenon – QBP. Originality/value: This study advances the debate on QBP on the (inter) national scene and investigations into the relationships and interactions built by women in spaces designed and organized by men and for men. Design/methodology/approach: 40 semistructured interviews were carried out with women who are politicians in the Southeast and Northeast regions of Brazil. Three are department deputies, 1 is a department state secretary, another one is a department deputy and 35 are city councilors from 13 departments all around the country. Data analysis was carried out using the Gioia method. Findings: The results indicate that even in an environment susceptible to the emergence of the QBP, women with ideological agendas and social struggles did not exhibit distancing behaviors with other colleagues. Furthermore, the interviewees showed positive conceptions of their colleagues and exhibit behaviors that encourage female performance in politics. This study highlights how workplace conditions affect relationships among individuals with threatened identities, particularly for studies on QBP. Findings reveal that group identification and perceived collective action potential shape relationships, despite obstacles. It underscores politicized identity as key to collective engagement and shows that relationships among women positively impact peers. Expectations and experiences of newcomers and experienced women in politics do not create distance. Additionally, a set of collective action strategies used by women to foster the participation of others was identified.