The female presence in different organisational positions and performance in secondary schools: Does a woman leader function as mediator?

Irene Campos-García,José Ángel Zúñiga-Vicente

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0222411

Irene Campos-García, José Ángel Zúñiga-Vicente

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222411

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Sep 26, 2019
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: King Juan Carlos University

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between female representation in different organisational positions and performance using a sample of Spanish secondary schools. These organizations have been usually depicted as ‘feminised environments’ although women in managerial positions are still underrepresented. Based on different theoretical approaches, we separately investigate the relationship between a greater female presence and school performance in three positions: a) as principal; b) on the management team; and c) as teachers. We also investigate if having a female leader exerts a significant mediator role on the relationship between greater female representation on the management team and teachers, respectively, and school performance. Our results reveal a positive and significant relationship between having a woman principal or a greater proportion of women teachers and school performance. However, the relationship between a high proportion of women on the management team and school performance is negative. We also find that a female principal does not play a significant role as mediator in the relationship between having a greater proportion of women on the management team and as teachers and school performance.

Highlights

During the last few decades, women have achieved greater representation in the labour market
Hypothesis 2a posits that a greater proportion of women on the management team will be positively related to school performance
The empirical evidence is obtained from a sample of service organisations that have been widely conceived as feminised environments—namely, secondary schools

Summary

Introduction

During the last few decades, women have achieved greater representation in the labour market. Women’s participation rates are gradually approaching those of men, mainly in developed and emerging countries, there is still a gender gap in labour force participation—i.e. the difference between male and female participation rates. Overall, this gender gap stood at 27% in 2018, compared with 29.1% in 1990 [1]. Women held under a quarter (24%) of senior managerial roles across the world in 2018 [2] They are still underrepresented as directors or in the position of maximum responsibility.

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