The unseen code: Unlock Switzerland’s female tech potential
Type
working paper
Date Issued
2024-03
Author(s)
Abstract
The European technology industry, specifically in Switzerland, is facing multifaceted
challenges that are impeding its global competitiveness, above all a pressing labor
shortage. Despite comprising 50% of the population, women remain significantly
underrepresented in technology-related professions and companies. If this
underrepresentation is addressed effectively, there is an opportunity to substantially reduce
labor shortages and boost the economy. Currently, female representation in European
technology jobs stands at a modest 22%. The picture is similar in Switzerland, where women
remain underrepresented in technology companies (25%) and particularly in senior
leadership positions (18%).
This white paper aims to present solutions for solving the talent shortage in the technology
sector by attracting a greater share of women to technology professions. It serves as
strategic guidance for the executives, policymakers, and professionals in the technology
industry who are navigating the challenges posed by this shortage, with a specific focus on
Switzerland. The paper aims to address missed opportunities arising from the gender
imbalance by equipping these stakeholders with actionable recommendations.
The content of this paper is derived from research conducted by McKinsey & Company,
building in particular on “Women in tech: The best bet to solve Europe’s talent shortage”3, on
insights from the Advance and Competence Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Gender
Intelligence Report’s technology sample4, as well as on contributions from the more than 70
subject matter experts and thought leaders who participated in the World Café hosted by
digitalswitzerland at the World Economic Forum. The research insights are augmented with
expert insights from leaders in the Swiss technology industry. The collaborative project
builds on contributions from digitalswitzerland, McKinsey & Company, and the University of
St. Gallen.
challenges that are impeding its global competitiveness, above all a pressing labor
shortage. Despite comprising 50% of the population, women remain significantly
underrepresented in technology-related professions and companies. If this
underrepresentation is addressed effectively, there is an opportunity to substantially reduce
labor shortages and boost the economy. Currently, female representation in European
technology jobs stands at a modest 22%. The picture is similar in Switzerland, where women
remain underrepresented in technology companies (25%) and particularly in senior
leadership positions (18%).
This white paper aims to present solutions for solving the talent shortage in the technology
sector by attracting a greater share of women to technology professions. It serves as
strategic guidance for the executives, policymakers, and professionals in the technology
industry who are navigating the challenges posed by this shortage, with a specific focus on
Switzerland. The paper aims to address missed opportunities arising from the gender
imbalance by equipping these stakeholders with actionable recommendations.
The content of this paper is derived from research conducted by McKinsey & Company,
building in particular on “Women in tech: The best bet to solve Europe’s talent shortage”3, on
insights from the Advance and Competence Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Gender
Intelligence Report’s technology sample4, as well as on contributions from the more than 70
subject matter experts and thought leaders who participated in the World Café hosted by
digitalswitzerland at the World Economic Forum. The research insights are augmented with
expert insights from leaders in the Swiss technology industry. The collaborative project
builds on contributions from digitalswitzerland, McKinsey & Company, and the University of
St. Gallen.
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
WhitePaper_UnseenCode.pdf
Size
4.83 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
fae8d2647c1f7c1b3c498c83470227f4