AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF GENDER PROPORTIONS ON THE EXPERIENCES OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN

Abstract

This exploratory study examined satisfactions and work experiences of managerial and professional women as a function of the gender composition of their organizations. Gender composition considered both the number of women (predominantly women, 50% women, predominantly men) and their location (at every level, in senior management). Data were collected from 792 managerial and professional women using questionnaires completed anonymously. Most respondents worked in organizations with predominantly men in senior management, although women were as likely as men to be present at other organizational levels. There was a fairly consistent pattern throughout the findings. Managerial and professional women employed in male dominated organizations (defined as mostly men at all levels or mainly men at the top) were less job and career satisfied, differed on several demographic and situational variables, but reported similar levels of emotional well‐being for managerial women employed in organizations that were not male‐dominated.