Exploring the underrepresentation of women in the fintech industry in Ireland
Authors
Abidoye, Ibukun Joan
Issue Date
2024
Degree
MSc in Financial Technology (Fintech)
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
Abstract
The study explores the underrepresentation of women in the fintech industry in Ireland, focusing on the impact of workplace culture, recruitment practices, and career progression opportunities on gender diversity. Despite global advancements in gender equality, the fintech sector in Ireland continues to exhibit significant disparities, with women underrepresented, particularly in leadership roles. To address this issue, a quantitative survey was conducted with 259 respondents from various fintech companies across Ireland. The survey assessed perceptions of workplaceculture, recruitment processes, and career advancement opportunities concerning gender inclusivity. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient to examine the relationships between these factors and women's representation in the industry. The findings reveal that while there are efforts to promote gender diversity, significant gaps remain. Approximately 65% of respondents believed that their workplace supports gender diversity, yet many reported inconsistencies in policy implementation, recruitment practices, and career advancement opportunities. The hypothesis testing confirmed that positive workplace culture, inclusive recruitment practices, and robust career progression opportunities are significantly correlated with improved representation and retention of women in the industry. This study contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the persistent challenges in achieving gender equality in the Irish fintech industry. It emphasises the need for more effective and consistently applied diversity initiatives to bridge the gender gap. In conclusion, while progress has been made, substantial work remains to ensure that women have equal opportunities in fintech. The study calls for future research to explore these dynamics further and to consider intersectionality and longitudinal impacts on gender diversity.