Araştırma Makalesi

Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis

Cilt: 17 Sayı: 1 29 Nisan 2026
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Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis

Öz

Aim: This study investigates the prevalence of "glass cliff" attitudes among Generation Z, a phenomenon where women are more likely to be appointed to leadership roles during periods of organizational crisis or decline. Specifically, the research aims to determine whether professional disciplines and academic socialization within the context of Turkish higher education influence the likelihood of Generation Z exhibiting these behaviors. Method: The study was conducted using a scenario-based approach with a sample of 60 Generation Z students. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive analysis methods. Participants were selected from five different academic faculties: Administrative Sciences, Education, Engineering, Law, and Tourism. This interdisciplinary approach allowed for a comparative analysis of how different educational backgrounds shaped perceptions of leadership and risk. Results: While there's no universal "glass cliff" pattern across Gen Z, significant differences emerged depending on faculty affiliation. Engineering students showed the most gender-neutral, performance-based preferences. In contrast, Education students were most likely to exhibit "glass cliff" behavior. Law and Administrative Sciences students showed a dual tendency toward both gender discrimination and "glass cliff" preferences, while Tourism students' responses remained inconsistent. Notably, the fact that 59% of those who chose female candidates for high-risk scenarios were women suggests an intra-gender dynamic consistent with the "Queen Bee" syndrome. Conclusion: The findings indicate that Generation Z's attitudes toward the glass divide are not uniform but are significantly influenced by their educational backgrounds. Educational background functions as a precursor to organizational bias, with some disciplines reinforcing traditional gender-risk relationships more than others. This suggests that gender-based organizational bias is a complex internalization of existing hierarchies and can even be reinforced by those within marginalized groups. Originality: This research offers a pioneering perspective on the glass cliff theory within the context of Generation Z and Turkish higher education. It expands the scope of the glass cliff theory by identifying academic socialization as a critical factor in the development of organizational bias, even before individuals enter the professional workforce.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Proje Numarası

Anadolu Üniversitesi BAP 1977

Kaynakça

  1. Ashby, J.S., Ryan, M.K. & Haslam, S.A. (2007). Legal work and the glass cliff: Evidence that women are preferentially selected to lead problematic cases. William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice, 13(3), 775-793. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/wmjowl/vol13/iss3/3/
  2. Bornat, M., (2018). Women to the rescue: Is there a glass cliff in politics? Master Thesis. Central European University Department of Political Science, Budapest, Hungary. Link: https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2018/bornat_marta.pdf
  3. Brucmüller, S. & Branscombe, N. (2010). The glass cliff: When and why women are selected as leaders in crisis context. British Journal of Social Psychology, 49(Pt 3), 433-451. https://doi.org/10.1348/014466609X466594
  4. Chen, L. (2018). “Impact of Gender Discrimination on Work-Place Gender Inequalities in China in The Last Decade.” Peace and Development Work Master Thesis, 1-57. Link: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-75841
  5. Colovic, G. (2015). Scenario method for defining the strategy in the garment industry. Journal of Textile Science & Engineering, 5(4), 205. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-8064.1000205
  6. Cook, A. & Glass, C.M. (2013). Above the glass ceiling: when are women and racial/ethnic minorities promoted to ceo? Strategic Management Journal, 35(7), 1080-1089. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2161
  7. Csobanka, Z.E. (2016). The Z Generation. Acta Technologica Dubnicae, 6(2), 63-76. https://doi.org/10.1515/atd-2016-0012
  8. De Boer, H.F. & Westerheijden, D. (2005). Scenarios as a method. J. Enders, J. File, J. Huisman ve D. Westerheijden (Eds.), The European higher education and research landscape 2020: Scenarios and strategic debates (s.13-24). Link: https://research.utwente.nl/en/publications/scenarios-as-a-method

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

İnsan Kaynakları Yönetimi

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

29 Nisan 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

10 Şubat 2026

Kabul Tarihi

24 Mart 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 17 Sayı: 1

Kaynak Göster

APA
Suvacı, B. (2026). Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 17(1), 242-256. https://doi.org/10.54558/jiss.1885732
AMA
1.Suvacı B. Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis. ÇAKÜ SBED. 2026;17(1):242-256. doi:10.54558/jiss.1885732
Chicago
Suvacı, Bahar. 2026. “Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis”. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 17 (1): 242-56. https://doi.org/10.54558/jiss.1885732.
EndNote
Suvacı B (01 Nisan 2026) Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 17 1 242–256.
IEEE
[1]B. Suvacı, “Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis”, ÇAKÜ SBED, c. 17, sy 1, ss. 242–256, Nis. 2026, doi: 10.54558/jiss.1885732.
ISNAD
Suvacı, Bahar. “Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis”. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 17/1 (01 Nisan 2026): 242-256. https://doi.org/10.54558/jiss.1885732.
JAMA
1.Suvacı B. Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis. ÇAKÜ SBED. 2026;17:242–256.
MLA
Suvacı, Bahar. “Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis”. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, c. 17, sy 1, Nisan 2026, ss. 242-56, doi:10.54558/jiss.1885732.
Vancouver
1.Bahar Suvacı. Exploring Glass Cliff Behaviors Among Gen Z: A Faculty-Based Analysis. ÇAKÜ SBED. 01 Nisan 2026;17(1):242-56. doi:10.54558/jiss.1885732