2023 Volume 24 Issue 2 Pages 13-23
The process of changing attitudes and behaviors among female officers in a labor union through their decision to accept a position and their experience as a labor union officer This study aimed to examine the decision to accept the position and the process of changing consciousness and behavior, through the experiences of female union officers in a company-based labor union. The survey targeted 13 officers. The semi-structured interview consisted of 14 questions and interview data were analyzed by the modified grounded theory approach (M-GTA). It was determined that theoretical saturation was reached with 40 concepts, 15 sub-categories, and four categories. The decision to accept the position and the process of changing consciousness and behavior is a process in which there are ‘circumstances and feelings before accepting the position’, ‘consciousness and behavior as a union officer,’ and ‘experiences and thoughts unique to minority and female officers.’ All of these are interrelated. There were also ‘influencing environments.’ First, the study confirmed the circumstances and process leading to the decision of female union officers to accept the position. It was suggested that the decision was made after a period of hesitation, from a long-term perspective and with a proactive attitude, and that the weight of the decision differed between the position when the women were non-executive members and when they were full-time members. In addition, who to call on them is an important factor. It is a small consideration, but it is a suggestion for the field of practice. Second, the study suggested a characteristic aspect in the transformation of consciousness and behavior through the experience of being a board member. Third, the results suggest that organizational climate and human support are important as influential environments.
