The Power of Belief: The Role of Muslim Women’s Beliefs in Organizational Management Success

Abstract

The unemployment rate among Muslim women in Canada is the highest of all minority groups, and they rarely rise to leadership positions. This research seeks to identify Muslim women’s beliefs about themselves and others that make them successful managers in Canadian organizations. Fourteen in depth interviews were conducted in Ottawa with Muslim women who wear the hijab and have overcome discrimination to build successful careers in management. As a result of the analysis of the respondents’ answers, it was determined that they possess firm internal beliefs about themselves as Muslim women and present themselves with strong Islamic identities. Furthermore, they have a high level of positive regard for their colleagues, and, despite having experienced Islamophobia, they do not enter their work environment expecting or suspecting others of discrimination. Once in the workplace, they possess a high grasp of organizational psychology, such as networking, mentorship, and conflict resolution. According to these belief systems, marginalized women can be successful in their careers if they have a high self concept coupled with organizational psychology. The findings imply that they can help the gap in the literature as there is a dearth of scholarly artic les on the experiences of Canadian Muslim women in the workplace. Hopefully, this research can be used to create seminars, knowledge, and workshops and can help change government and organizational policies.