Challenges of talent management in small- and medium-sized enterprises from the viewpoint of female managers.

Document Type : researcher

Authors
kianoosh karimi 1
Sayed Mahdi Sharifii 2
Abbas Nargesian 3
1 PhD student in Media Management, Department of Media Management and Business Communication, Faculty of Business, Faculties of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran,
2 Department of Media Management and Business Communication, Faculty of Business, School of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Leadership and Human Capital, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, Faculties of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/scm.2025.534039.1918
Abstract
The significant growth of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the economic ecosystems of developing countries has amplified the importance of talent management as a critical form of organizational capital. However, the unique characteristics of these organizations, such as size and age, present fundamental challenges to the processes of talent management. The present study aims to investigate the challenges of talent management in SMEs from the viewpoint of female managers. To achieve this objective, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 female managers employed in talent management roles within these companies. The data were subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal six main themes: environmental, cultural, economic, and organizational structural challenges, as well as challenges related to the organizational management's mindset and the individual characteristics of talented employees. The results indicate that in addition to the common environmental and internal challenges of talent management, female managers face fundamental issues stemming from the mindset of senior executives, including a lack of support for and trust in their managerial approaches. Furthermore, they contend with challenges related to the personality traits and high expectations of talented individuals, which significantly complicates the talent management process for them.

Keywords

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Society Culture Media
Volume 14, Issue 56
Autumn 2025
Pages 241-271

  • Receive Date 12 July 2025
  • Revise Date 27 September 2025
  • Accept Date 28 September 2025