Do Women at the Top Make a Difference? Gender Proportions and 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 proportions of their organizations. Gender proportion 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. Gender proportion was found to have only modest effects, when personal and organizational factors were controlled.