Women in banking careers - a science of muddling through?

How can we understand women's typically incremental approach to career, whi ch defies the goal-oriented career-building logic of management culture? A qualitative study, of 40 women in banking explored this issue with 20 cleri cal workers and 20 managers. In the context of banking policies for equal o pportunities, career breaks, management trainee schemes, some respondents d escribed career goals and development in traditional terms, but most acknow ledged their difference from perceived norms. Organisational hierarchies, t raditional male career grooming, and the long hours culture, as well as acc ommodation to other family members are seen to stand in the way of long-ter m goal-setting. Incrementalism and credit accumulation are rational approac hes to uncertainty about family relationships and need;, a high risk of fai lure to reach male-dominated positions, and the heavy demands of combining a managerial career with motherhood.