Challenges of women for entring in to old boys' network Case study: Iran universities

Today networks and entering in to the networks are the main ways that people can promote their position in the organizations through them. Likewise, entering to the networks (formal and informal) is a major concern for newcomers who want to promote their scientific position. Researchers show that despite the dramatic increase in the number of women at universities in Iran, they have problem of entring in to the scientific networks. This study attempts to identify and explain the women challenges for entring in to the male academic networks (old boys' networks) of Iran universities. In this article grounded theory approach as a qualitative research method is applied. We selected 18 faculty members through snowball sampling. Research data were collected using semi-structured interviews and through Strauss and Corbin comparison method. Researches findings suggest that legal, cultural and family barriers are the main barriers of entering women in to the old boys' networks in universities. Finally we explain strategies adopted from experts' comments to deal with these barriers.

Old boy networks, university, women, grounded theory