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Running Head: Thesis 1
Thesis 2
THE IMPACT OF MARITAL STATUS OF THE WOMEN ON THE LABOR FORCE COMPOSITION: A CASE OF MALAYSIA ECONOMIC
Declaration of Originality
I, Goh Silvia, declare that this dissertation:
(a) Represents my own work;
(b) Has not previously been submitted for a degree at this or any other University; and
(c) Does not incorporate any published work or material from another dissertation.
Signed:..........................................................
Date:............................................................
Approval for Submission
This Theis of Goh Silvia has been approved as partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Managementby the University of Zambia.
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Copyright
All rights reserved. No part of this thesis should be reproduced or stored in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the author or the associated university.
Acknowledgements
The thesis paper has been a source of great learning experience and is also the platform for realising the contribution of people that has made the paper a hard-earned success. I admit that although I am the researcher of the paper, there have been people whose names deserve to be mentioned. Firstly, the person, who has always been an honest critic of my work, my supervisor needs to be mentioned and thanked. I thank my supervisor for the guidance I was provided with and after completion of each chapter of the thesis paper. I would also like to thank my colleagues for their unwavering support for my project, helping in discussing issues and offering me honest feedbacks has helped me in great degree to optimise the accuracy of the current work.
Next, I would also like to thank the authors of the literary sources I have citied in my works, for assessing, arguing and learning about the research topic variables and its associated aspects. I am grateful to the respondents for their selfless dedication that allowed me to get a more comprehensive picture of the internals of the organisation and the perspective developing in their minds regarding the thesis paper topic. I would never have been able to pull the paper off with such dexterity, if not every mentioned person took part in the paper, so may be the paper is officially mine, I would always consider the current work as a well-assisted piece of literary work.
Thank you all!
Abstract and Key Words
This thesis paper has tried to explore the impact of marital status of women on the labour force composition of the Malaysian economy and has been titled “THE IMPACT OF MARITAL STATUS OF THE WOMEN ON THE LABOR FORCE COMPOSITION: A CASE OF MALAYSIA ECONOMIC”. This thesis paper aims at finding out the impact of the marital status of women on their participation in the labour force composition of Malaysia. The thesis takes into consideration the fact that despite of the enhanced participation of women in the economy, men still seems to be dominant in the labour force of Malaysia. Particularly in case of married women, becoming a part of the labour forces is not an easy task as they are more occupied with their family responsibilities and their household chores, which turns out to be a hurdle for them to join the labour force of the country. In order to provide authentic support to the arguments presented by the researcher, secondary literary sources have been referred to along with the collection of primary data through survey questionnaire. In order to approach in a systematic order that is compatible with the demands of the research, the researchers have made use of positivism philosophy, descriptive design, deductive approach and primary research that includes quantitative data.
Key Words: Labour Force, Feminisation of Labour, Marital Status
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 12
1.0 Introduction 12
1.1 Background of the Study 13
1.2 Problem Statement 14
1.3 Research Objectives 14
1.4 Research Questions 14
1.5 Scope 15
1.6 Significance of the Study 15
1.7 Definition of Key Terms 16
1.8 Organization of the Thesis 16
Chapter 2: Literature Review 18
2.0 Introduction 18
2.1 Contribution of Female Workforce to the Malaysian Economy 18
2.2 Factors Contributing to the Labour Force Composition of Malaysia 19
2.1.1 Population 19
2.2.2 Income 20
2.2.3 Educational Attainment 20
2.3 Factors Affecting the Working Status of Married Malaysian Women 21
2.4 Impact of Marital Status of Women on the Labour Force Composition of Malaysia 24
Chapter 3: Research Methodology 28
3.0 Introduction 28
3.1 Research Framework 28
3.2 Research Method Proposition 29
3.3 Research Philosophy 29
3.4 Research Approach 30
3.5 Research Design 30
3.6 Operational Definition 31
3.6.1 Research Strategy 31
3.6.2 Types of Research 31
3.7 Instrumentation 32
3.8 Data Collection 32
3.8.1 Data Sources 32
3.8.2 Data Collection Methods 33
3.8.3 Data Analysis Techniques 33
3.9 Ethical Considerations 33
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Findings 35
4.0 Introduction 35
4.1 Analysis of Responses to Survey Questionnaire for Women Working Out of their Homes 35
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations 54
5.0 Conclusion 54
5.1 Linking Objectives with Findings 55
5.1.1 Objective 1 55
5.1.2 Objective 2 55
5.1.3 Objective 3 56
5.1.4 Objective 4 56
5.2 Recommendations 56
5.2.1 Eliminating the Gender Stereotypes Existing in the Society 56
5.2.2 Improving the Working Conditions for Women 57
5.3 Limitation of the Research 57
5.4 Future Scope of the Research 58
References 59
Appendices 62
Appendix 1: Timeline 62
Appendix 2: Survey Questionnaire 63
List of Figures
Figure 1: Labour Force Participation Rate in Malaysia in 2019 13
Figure 2: Organization of the Thesis 17
Figure 3: Research Framework 29
Figure 4: Working Status 36
Figure 5: Age Group 37
Figure 6: Marital Status 38
Figure 7: Children 39
Figure 8: Controlling Factors 40
Figure 9: Decisions 41
Figure 10: Gender Stereotypes 43
Figure 11: Effect of Marital Status 44
Figure 12: Family Responsibilities 45
Figure 13: Factors 47
Figure 14: Responsibility of Happily Married Women 48
Figure 15: Family Responsibilities 49
Figure 16: Women in Labour Force 51
Figure 17: Traditional Perceptions 52
Figure 18: Recommendations 53
List of Tables
Table 4.1 Working Status 36
Table 4.2 Age Group 37
Table 4.3 Marital Status 38
Table 4.4 Children 39
Table 4.5 Controlling Factors 40
Table 4.6 Decisions 41
Table 4.7 Gender Stereotypes 43
Table 4.8 Effect of Marital Status 44
Table 4.9 Family Responsibilities 45
Table 4.10 Factors 47
Table 4.11 Responsibility of Happily Married Women 48
Table 4.12 Family Responsibilities 49
Table 4.13 Women in Labour Force 50
Table 4.14 Traditional Perceptions 52
Table 4.15 Recommendations 53
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Introduction
For a fast-growing economy like Malaysia, the participation of female labour in the market is becoming essential because of the robustness, the female workforce is capable of providing. Undoubtedly participation of female labour in the economy of the country has increased manifolds. However, the choices of female taking part in the workforce is dominated primarily by the decisions being made by the members of their family, especially in case of married women, this decision is being made by the members of the household particularly the adult males. In Malaysia, it has been observed that feminisation of labour is turning out to be a major trend. Married women have been contributing extensively to the Malaysian economy. According to the result of a survey, 57.4 % of the married women in Malaysia have been participating in the workforce (Statista, 2020). However, it has been observed that the percentage of the divorced or permanently separated women in the labour force of Malaysia is 76.1%, which is significantly high. Though the percentage of married female workers in the labour force of Malaysia is quite high, the marital status of women somehow adversely affects the employment as employers are of the opinion that married women have a number of responsibilities towards their families and have to listen to the decision of others and therefore, may not work dedicatedly. Through this thesis, an effort has been made to study the impact of marital status of women on the labour force composition of Malaysia.
Figure 1: Labour Force Participation Rate in Malaysia in 2019
(Source: Statista 2020)
1.1 Background of the Study
In Malaysia, women constitute almost half the population of the country and therefore, the participation of women in the economy of Malaysia has improved considerably. Despite of the enhanced participation of women in the economy, men still seems to be dominant in the labour force of Malaysia. Particularly in case of married women, becoming a part of the labour forces is not an easy task as they are more occupied with their family responsibilities and their household chores, which turns out to be a hurdle for them to join the labour force of the country (Bhatt, 2018). The employers take the marital status of the women quite seriously and focus explicitly on the educational attainment, age of women and the number of children they have in case of supplying the married women as a labour force to the market. It is found that married women are often suppressed by the decisions of their family and the household responsibilities they have. On the contrary, the women, who are divorced turn or are permanently separated form a major part of the Malaysian labour force.
1.2 Problem Statement
Despite of having a huge female population, it has been observed that Malaysian women are a part of the labour force in fewer numbers as compared to the male members of the society, especially in case of married women. The marital status of women in Malaysia has been adversely affecting their chances of contributing to the Malaysian economy by becoming a part of the labour force of the Malaysian economy. The responsibilities that married women have has also been affecting their own willingness of becoming a part of the labour force and contribute to the economy thereafter.
1.3 Research Objectives
The current thesis aims to achieve the following objectives:
· To understand the role of female labour force in the Malaysian economy
· To understand the aspects and the factors that affect the labour force composition of Malaysia
· To understand the aspects and the factors that affect the employment of Malaysian women
· To study the role of marital status of women on the labour force composition of Malaysia.
1.4 Research Questions
Based on the research objectives, the thesis aims to answer the following key research questions:
· How is the female labour force contributing towards the betterment of the Malaysian economy?
· What aspects and factors contribute to the labour force composition of Malaysia?
· What aspects and factors contribute to the employment of women in the Malaysian labour force?
· How does the marital status of women affect the labour composition of the Malaysian labour force?
1.5 Scope
The scope of this thesis is limited to the Malaysian labour force and will take into the consideration the factors and aspects that affect the composition of the labour force in Malaysia. The scope of the thesis also expands to consider the impact of marital status of women on the composition of the labour force of Malaysia.
1.6 Significance of the Study
For a fast-growing economy like Malaysia, the participation of female labour in the market is becoming essential because of the robustness, the female workforce is capable of providing. Undoubtedly participation of female labour in the economy of the country has increased manifolds, however, it can be noticed that marital status of the women is considered to be an important aspect while hiring the candidates in the labour force of Malaysia. This study will help to determine the impact, which the marital status of women has on the labour force composition of the Malaysian economy. The study will help to develop an in-depth understanding of the fact that how the women taking part in the workforce are dominated primarily by the decisions being made by the members of their family, especially in case of married women, where most of the decisions are being made by the members of the household particularly the adult males (Ismail & Sulaiman, 2014). The study will also help to develop an in-depth understanding of the aspects, which may help to explain the fact that percentage of divorced or separated women in the Malaysian labour force is higher than that of the women, who are happily married.
1.7 Definition of Key Terms
Some of the key terms that will be used for the purpose of directing this study and making it more informative have been defined below:
· Labour Force: The labour force of the country can be defined as all the people, who are capable of working in a country or area including both the employed and unemployed citizens of the country.
· Feminisation of labour force: This refers to the exponential and substantial increase in the proportions of women in the paid or employed task force of the country.
· Marital Status: Describes a person’s relationship with the significant other.
1.8 Organization of the Thesis
This thesis will be divided into five chapters for systematic assessment of the research topic and reaching research objectives. The first chapter is Introduction, in which the researcher has given over view of the research topic, its background, the objectives of the study, the scope of the study and the significance of the study. In the following chapters, namely, Literature Review, the researcher gave detailed assessment of research topic along with the variables closely associated with the research topic. In the third chapter, which is Research Methodology there offers an in-depth variety of tools used for the research along with the justification for their selection. In the fourth chapter, Data finding and Analysis, the research has collected data based on the methods selected in the Research Methodology Chapter. In the last chapter, which is named, Conclusion and Recommendations would give the results, appropriate suggestions, based on the assumption of the data in the fourth chapter.
Figure 2: Organization of the Thesis
(Source: Researcher)
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.0 Introduction
In this chapter, a range of literary sources have been accessed and analysed to develop an in-depth understanding of the research topic. The secondary sources that have been studied will give the research a literary foundation, based on which the research aims, objectives are verified and logically criticised. Though this chapter discusses the topics independently, the topics have been arranged in an interlinked manner. The literary sources that have been accessed are not only stated here but have been discussed critically in the light of the research topic variables. A conceptual framework has been added at the end of this chapter to provide a visual representation of the entire thesis.
2.1 Contribution of Female Workforce to the Malaysian Economy
Feminisation of labour can be seen quite prominently in Malaysia as a huge female population of the country has been contributing towards the growth of the Malaysian economy. The participation of the female workforce of the country has become essential for the overall growth and development of the economy (Ali, 2014). Though the participation of women in the labour force of Malaysia is comparatively lesser than that of men, the contribution of women cannot be ignored in the fast growth of the Malaysian economy. With the increasing participation of women in the labour force of Malaysia, it is quite evident that the Malaysian society has entered into a modern transition phase and has been eliminating the gender stereotypes existing in the society.
Flexible working arrangements have been ensuring that women in Malaysia can be a part of the workforce despite of being married or having a number of household responsibilities. Though happily married female population of Malaysia constitute to be 57.4% of the total female workforce, the highest percentage of female workers are the ones, who are either divorced or are permanently separated. 76.1% of the women in Malaysia, who are divorced are a part of the labour force in Malaysia (Statista, 2020). These statistics indicate the fact that marital status of the women has a huge impact on the labour force participation in Malaysia. Women in Malaysia, who are happily married find it difficult to find a balance between work and life as compared to the women, who are divorced. Single women or the ones, who have never been married, have also been contributing to the workforce of Malaysia. 52.6 % of the women, who are single have been working outside their homes and have been contributing to the Malaysian economy.
However, women, who are widowed are lesser in number contributing towards the Malaysian labour force. 45.8% of widows contribute to the Malaysian economy (Statista, 2020) Based on this statistical data it is evident that women play an essential role in the labour force of Malaysia. However, there is no doubt about the fact that divorced women have greater responsibilities to fulfil the needs of their families and therefore, have been actively participating in the labour force. Moreover, these women may not need the consent of their families particularly the male members of the families and therefore, can be stressless while working outside their homes. Happily married women and single women on the other hand have to listen to the male members of their families and have to take decisions only after their consent.
2.2 Factors Contributing to the Labour Force Composition of Malaysia
The factors, which have been affecting the labour force composition of Malaysia at the first place are:
2.1.1 Population
As the population increases, the labour force of the country will also increase proportionately. The recent population trends in Malaysia have highlighted the fact that female population of the country has increased significantly, and therefore, the percentage of females in the labour force has also increased. Despite of this, men constitute to be a major portion of the Malaysian labour force. While females constitute to be 44% of the labour force in Malaysia, the male members of the society constitute to be 56% of the labour force in Malaysia. With the increasing employment opportunities in Malaysia particularly in the area of manufacturing the population of Malaysia now have ample opportunities to be employed.
2.2.2 Income
With a considerable growth in the state income, a greater number of entrants are expected to move in. However, it has been observed that cost of living in Malaysia does not has a major influence on the labour force (Bahar, Kamu, Jantan & Gabda, 2020). In case of the female workforce of the country, it has been observed that women, who are separated or divorced have not other source of earning to support their families and their children and therefore, they prefer to work or to be a part of the labour force because of their low incomes. Women, whose husbands earn well are less likely to compose the Malaysian labour force, when compared to the women, who earn for their families all alone such as divorced or widowed women.
2.2.3 Educational Attainment
The composition of the labour force of Malaysia depends extensively on the education levels of the people. The more educated the people are, the greater the labour force is. The higher educational attainment among females makes it easier for them to find jobs and to be involved in the labour market. With a greater number of people inclining towards attaining skills, knowledge and education, the available labour force in Malaysia is increasing tremendously. Females are now breaking the gender stereotypes existing in the society and have been attaining education to be a part of the labour force.
2.3 Factors Affecting the Working Status of Married Malaysian Women
The marital status of the women along with their educational attainment and the number of children they have turns out to be the primary factors that affect the employment of Malaysian women (Ming-Yen & Siong-Choy, 2007). It has been observed that happily married women have greater number of responsibilities towards their families in terms of the care they need to provide and focus less on earning the livelihood for the family. However, women, who are divorced or are permanently separated or are single have a tendency to think of earning the livelihoods for their families while taking care of their family members.
Participation of women in the labour force of Malaysia is less prevalent than that of men owing to the reason that married women have family responsibilities and household chores, which act an obstacle for these women to move out of their homes and be a part of the labour force. Aligning with the arguments being presented by Cecilia (2016), the choice of females taking place in the labour force in Malaysia is usually dominated by the decisions taken by the male members of the family. The household decision process in Malaysia decides whether women should work or should not work outside their homes specially in the case of women, who are married. Divorced or permanently separated women do not have to face much obstacles as compared to the women, who are happily married.
Although, working women will generate income to the family as it will support expenditures increased and benefits of the household, it is considered that this would mean spending less time with the family and children and would also make the women spend less time for their household chores (Karupiah, 2019). It is assumed in Malaysia that for women, who are divorced or separated earning for their families might be a basic necessity for them, however, for women, who are happily married it is not essential to earn for their families rather it is important to take care of the children and other household chores. In such situations, marital status of women seems to play a great role in the labour force composition of Malaysia. Wages for women only act as an incentive while their household responsibilities are considered their priorities once they are married.
The composition of the labour force of Malaysia clearly highlights the fact that single women, happily married women and widows are less in percentage as compared to the women, who are divorced or are permanently separated from their families or their spouse. This further highlights the fact that power dissemination in families particularly in the hands of the powerful men of the families controls the labour composition of Malaysia particularly in case of the married women. According to Bhatt (2008), The rate of participation of women in Malaysia though improved considerably over years is still lower than most of the developed or developing economies of the world. A number of researchers have come up...