Exploring trajectories of success in research and innovation: A comparative study of women in academic careers in South Africa and Sweden

Abstract

This study investigates the factors contributing to women's success in academic careers within research and innovation fields, comparing perspectives from South Africa and Sweden. Despite the underrepresentation of women in higher academic ranks and as knowledge producers, some have managed to break the barriers and achieved significant success. This research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews, bibliometric analysis, and CV modes of data collection, framed by constructivist grounded theory. Findings indicate that individual characteristics and proactive behaviors were crucial to women’s career success in both settings of the study. Successful women full professors share a similar profile of professionals, independent of the challenges of their academic systems, marked by intrinsic motivations, such as a passion for stimulating and creative work, a desire to contribute meaningfully to others with their work, and a need for autonomy, creativity, self-expression and flexible work arrangements that accommodate family life. These intrinsic motivations enable resilience, adaptability, and proactive career management behaviours, even in a constrained environment. Additionally, the study highlights contextual influences on career success definitions, underscoring the importance of considering social and cultural factors. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of women's academic career success across diverse settings, offering insights for policy and practice.