Students preparing for the diverse workplace of the future need to understand the glass-ceiling phenomenon and its ramifications for both individuals and organizations. This article suggests that an effective way to explain this concept is by examining gender differences in management development. The rationale for this perspective is provided. A review of the literature that indicates that gender differences in developmental activities create and perpetuate the glass-ceiling effect is also provided. Suggestions are included for ways to teach students about the glass ceiling.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Anania, J.
(Producer, Director). (1990). Sex bias in the workplace [Videotape]. (Part of the May the Best Man Win Series. Available from Coronet/MTI Film & Video, 4350 Equity Drive, Columbus, OH 43228)
2.
Anania, J.
(Producer, Director). (1990). A discussion of sex bias in the workplace [Videotape]. (Part of the May the Best Man Win Series. Available from Phoenix/Coronet, 2349 Chaffee Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146)
3.
Antal, A. B.
, & Izraeli, D. N. (1993). A global comparison of women in management: Women managers in their homelands and as expatriates. In E. A. Fagenson (Ed.), Women in management (pp. 52-96). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
4.
Bass, B. M.
, & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Shatter the glass ceiling: Women may make better managers. Human Resource Management, 33(4), 549-560.
5.
Betters-Reed, B. L.
, & Moore, L. L. (1989). Managing diversity in organizations: Professional and curricular issues. Organizational Behavior Teaching Review, 13(4), 25-32.
6.
Betters-Reed, B. L.
, & Moore, L. L. (1995). Shifting the management development paradigm for women. Journal of Management Development, 14(2), 24-38.
7.
CNN
(Producer, Director). (1992). Beyond the glass ceiling [Videotape]. (Available from Cable News Network [CNN] Library Tape Sales, 1 CNN Center, P.O. Box 105780, Atlanta, GA 30348-5780)
8.
Fagenson, E. A.
(1993). Diversity in management: Introduction and the importance of women in management. In E. A. Fagenson (Ed.), Women in management (pp. 3-15). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
9.
Federal Glass Ceiling Commission
. (1995). Good for business: Making full use of the nation's human capital. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
10.
Grazer, B.
, & Zollo, F. (Producer), & Howard, R. (Director). (1994). The paper [Film]. (Available from MCA Home Video, Inc., Universal City Studios, 10 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608)
11.
Griggs, L.
(Producer), & Anderson, M. (Director). (1989). Managing differences [Videotape]. (Part of the Valuing Diversity Series. Available from Griggs Productions, Inc., 302 23rd Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94121)
12.
Hite, L. M.
, & McDonald, K. S. (1995). Precision bicycling components: Exploring the glass ceiling. In J. W. Pfeiffer (Ed.), The 1995 annual: Vol. 2. Consulting (pp. 97-116). San Diego, CA: Pfeiffer.
13.
Levinson, B.
, & Crichton, M. (Producer), & Levinson, B. (Director). (1995). Disclosure [Film]. (Available from Warner Brothers, Warner Home Video, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522)
14.
Lips, H. M.
(1992). Women and power in the workplace. In M. Schaum & C. Flanagan (Eds.), Gender images: Readings for composition (pp. 500-511). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
15.
Mainiero, L. A.
(1994). On breaking the glass ceiling: The political seasoning of powerful women executives. Organizational Dynamics, 22(4), 5-20.
16.
Mattis, M. C.
(1990, Fall). Dismantling the glass ceiling, pane by pane. Human Resources Professional, pp. 5-8.
17.
Noe, R. A.
(1988). Women and mentoring: Areview and research agenda. Academy of Management Review, 13(1), 65-78.
18.
Ohlott, P. J.
, Ruderman, M. N., & McCauley, C. D. (1994). Gender differences in managers' developmental job experiences. Academy of Management Journal, 37(1), 46-67.
19.
Owen, C. L.
, & Todor, W. D. (1993). Attitudes toward women as managers: Still the same. Business Horizons, 36(2), 12-16.
20.
Parker, V. A.
, & Kram, K. E. (1993). Women mentoring women: Creating conditions for connections. Business Horizons, 36(2), 42-51.
21.
Ragins, B. R.
, & Scandura, T. A. (1994). Gender differences in expected outcomes of mentoring relationships. Academy of Management Journal, 37(4), 957-971.
22.
Ruderman, M. N.
, Ohlott, P. J., & Kram, K. E. (1995). Promotion decisions as a diversity practice. Journal of Management Development, 14(2) 6-23.
23.
Snyder, R. A.
(1993). The glass ceiling for women: Things that don't cause it and things that won't break it. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 4(1), 97-106.
24.
Stein, B.
(Producer). (1993). Tale of 0 [Videotape]. (Available from Good measure, 330 Broadway, P.O. Box 3004, Cambridge, MA 02139)
25.
Tharenou, P.
, Latimer, S., & Conroy, D. (1994). How do you make it to the top? An examination of influences on women's and men's managerial advancement. Academy of Management Journal, 37(4), 899-931.
26.
Van Velsor, E.
, & Hughes, M. W. (1990). Gender differences in the development of managers: How women managers learn from experience. Greensboro, NC: Center for Creative Leadership.
27.
White, J.
(1992). A few good women: Breaking the barriers to top management. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
28.
Wicke, D.
(Producer), & Nichols, M. (Director). (1988). Working girl [Film]. (Available from 20th Century Fox, Fox Videos Inc., Post Office Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213)
