Gender disparity in leadership positions

a bibliometric study

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/biblios.2025.1250

Keywords:

Gender disparity, Gender study, Bibliometrics, Glass ceiling, Women's leadership

Abstract

Objective. The present research aims to carry out a survey of scientific production on gender disparity in the global and national context, in order to explore and elucidate aspects involving the theme “women in leadership positions” and the potential relationships with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ethnic-racial issues with a focus on Brazil.
Method. Characterized as quantitative, supported by bibliometrics to obtain quantitative assessment techniques and tools and the analysis of inter-comparisons of activity, productivity and scientific progress.
Results. There is an evident interest in the global scientific community in the topic being researched, and a significant number of countries emerging in the discussion. However, Brazil enters the scenario with a delay of two decades, but it already has significant international connections in its collaborations. The SDGs align with the proposed discussion, suggesting that the fight for gender equality affects the development and advancement of a society, both local and global. Finally, the intersection of the theme with racial aspects showed a timid representation, proving the urgent need for more research that addresses the demands of minorities.
Conclusions. More research is necessary on gender disparity in different contexts and specificities, and one of the possible ways to expand and enrich such productions can be through scientific collaboration between countries, institutions and authors. Future research may complement or even improve the results obtained through new methods and/or tools.

Author Biographies

Luana Cristina-Silva, UFSCar

Master's student in Information Science at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) (2023-2025), and postgraduate student in the Master in Business Administration (MBA) program in Information, Technology, and Innovation for Business (ITI), also at UFSCar (2024-2025). Bachelor's degree in Library Science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUCC) (2014-2017). Member of the research group Center for Technological Innovation in Materials (NIT/Materiais) at UFSCar. Supporting member of the Information, Technology, and Innovation (ITI-UFSCar) program and the Information for Innovation Institute (i2i).

Ana Carolina Novaes de Mendonça, UFSCar

Master's degree in Information Science from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) (2023-2025). Bachelor's degree in Library Science from the University of Brasília (UnB) (2017-2022). Researcher at the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (Ibict).

Roniberto Morato do Amaral, UFSCar

Associate Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), affiliated with the Department of Information Science. Researcher at the Center for Technological Information on Materials at UFSCar (NIT/Materiais) and at the Center for Studies on Society, University, and Science (SoU_Ciência). PhD (2010) and Master's (2006) in Production Engineering and Librarian (2003) from UFSCar. I work in the investigation of Competitive Intelligence based on the approach of competencies and their application to technology management and innovation, through the development and analysis of scientific and technological production indicators.

Leandro Innocentini Lopes de Faria, UFSCar

Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) since 2002, affiliated with the Department of Information Science. Professor in the Graduate Program in Science, Technology, and Society at UFSCar. Professor in the Graduate Program in Information Science at UFSCar. Executive coordinator of the Center for Technological Information on Materials at UFSCar. Work in Information Science, Technological Prospecting, Competitive Intelligence, Bibliometrics, and Science and Technology Indicators. Materials Engineer from UFSCar (1994). PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos (2001) and in Information and Communication Science from the University of Aix-Marseille III (2001).

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Published

2025-12-16

How to Cite

Cristina-Silva, L., Novaes de Mendonça, A. C., Morato do Amaral, R., & Innocentini Lopes de Faria, L. (2025). Gender disparity in leadership positions: a bibliometric study. Biblios Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, (esp.), e019. https://doi.org/10.5195/biblios.2025.1250

Issue

No. esp. (2025)

Section

Original

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Copyright (c) 2025 Luana Cristina-Silva, Ana Carolina Novaes de Mendonça, Roniberto Morato do Amaral, Leandro Innocentini Lopes de Faria

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