Leadership performance evaluation of GCC women in middle and lower management in technology-based organizations: investigating economic influences

Purpose Grounded in the individual differences theory of gender and information technology (IDTGIT), this study aims to examine the impact of economic factors on leadership performance of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) women in middle and lower management within technology-based organizations (TBOs). The economic factors considered include salary alignment with the cost of living, availability of resources and support, access to financing for projects and organization’s financial stability. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative methodology is adopted, collecting data through two questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale and content-specific questions: one for GCC women leaders to capture economic factors and another for their subordinates to evaluate leadership effectiveness. A total of 404 paired responses are analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Findings The findings reveal that GCC women’s leadership performance ranges from “limited” to “excellent,” with a mean score of 3.294 on the five-point scale, reflecting a central tendency toward “moderate” performance. All examined factors, except organization’s financial stability, show a significant positive impact on their leadership performance. Originality/value This study provides a novel perspective by quantitatively examining GCC women’s leadership performance in TBOs, a context underexplored in the literature, while linking women’s leadership performance to economic factors, thereby filling a critical research gap. Practical implications This study provides practical insights for organizational strategies to enhance women’s leadership performance through the lens of economic factors. In addition, it opens new avenues for future research on advancing women’s leadership in the under-researched GCC context.