Perception or reality: Glass ceiling in the administrative elite in Portugal

Portuguese top public managers are recruited, since 2011, in a new system aiming to reduce political appointment. From 297 recruitment processes the article asks whether, with formal rules and procedures, more women were appointed to top public management positions. Interviews were also conducted with eight female public managers to understand how female top public managers interpret their professional trajectories, the new system of recruitment and on equality in Public Administration. We were able to find clear evidence for increasing female top public managers after the new system was introduced, mainly in 2_nd grade management positions. The female public managers interviewed do not always trust the system in removing political nominations and they also related cultural barriers.

Keywords:
Top public managers; Women; Vertical segregation; Public administration; Portugal