Research on relationships with supervisors has addressed gender and racial differences. However, few studies included minority groups other than Blacks. The present study used multivariate analysis of covariance to investigate the differential effects of race/ethnicity and gender among White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian employees on perceptions of access to developmental activities initiated by immediate supervisors, controlling for organizational tenure. Results indicated that gender and race/ethnicity may influence access to specific development opportunities provided by supervisors. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Alderfer, C. F.
, Alderfer, C. J.,Tucker, L., & Tucker, R. (1980). Diagnosing race relations in managementJournal of Applied Behavioral Science, 27, 135-166.
2.
Argyris, C.
, & Schon, D. A. (1989). Participatory action research and action science compared. American Behavioral Scientist, 32, 612-623.
3.
Baird, L.
, & Kram, K. E. (1983). Career dynamics: Managing the superior/subordinate relationship. Organizational Dynamics, 11(3), 46-64.
4.
Barringer, F.
(1992, September 20). A census disparity for Asians in U.S. The New York Times, p. 36.
5.
Chao, G. T.
, & Gardner, P. D. (1992). Formal and informal mentorships: A comparison on mentoring functions and contrast with nonmentored counterparts. Personnel Psychology, 45, 619-636.
6.
Cox, T.
(1993). Cultural diversity in organizations: Theory, research, and practice. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.
7.
Eagly, A. H.
, & Johnson, B. T. (1990). Gender and leadership style: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 108, 233-256.
8.
Fagenson, E. A.
(1989). The mentor advantage: Perceived career/job experiences of proteges versus nonproteges. Journal of Organizational Behavior,10, 309-320.
9.
Fagenson, E. A.
(1993). Women in management: Trends, issues, and challenges in managerial diversity. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
10.
Fernandez, J. F.
(1981). Racism and sexism in corporate life. Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath.
11.
Fisher, A. B.
(1992, September 21). When will women get to the top?Fortune, pp. 44-56.
12.
Greenhaus, J. H.
, & Parasuraman, S. (1993). Job performance attributions and career advancement prospects: An examination of race and gender effects. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 55, 273-297.
13.
Greenhaus, J. H.
, Parasuraman, S., & Wormley, W. M. (1990). Effects of race on organizational experiences, job performance evaluations, and career outcomes. Academy of Management Journal, 33, 84-86.
14.
Hall, D. T.
(1976). Careers in organizations. Pacific Palisades, CA: Goodyear.
15.
Ibarra, H.
(1993). Personal networks of women and minorities in management: A conceptual framework. Academy of Management Review, 18, 56-87.
16.
Ilgen, D. R.
, & Youtz, M. A. (1986). Factors affecting the evaluation and development of minorities in organizations. In K. Rowland & G. Ferris (Eds.), Research in personnel and human resource management: A research annual (pp. 307-337). Greenwich, CT: JAI.
17.
James, K.
, & Khoo, G. (1991). Identity-related influences on the success of minority workers in primarily nonminority organizations. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 13, 169-192.
18.
Konrad, A. M.
, Winter, S., & Gutek, B. A. (1992). Diversity in work group sex composition: Implications for majority and minority members. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 10, 115-140.
19.
Knouse, S. B.
, Rosenfeld, P., & Culbertson, A. L. (1992). Hispanics in the workplace. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
20.
Korn/Ferry International
. (1990). Executive profile 1990: A survey of corporate leaders. New York: Author.
21.
Kram, K.
(1985). Mentoring at work: Developmental relationships in organizational life. Glenview,IL: Scott Foresman.
22.
Lincoln, J. R.
, & Miller, J. (1979). Work and friendship ties in organizations: A comparative analysis of relational networks. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, 181-199.
23.
Mai-Dalton, R. R.
, & Sullivan, J. J. (1981). The effect of manager's sex on the assignment to a challenging or dull task and reasons for the choice. Academy of Management Journal, 24, 603-612.
24.
McCall, M. W.
, Lombardo, J. J., & Morrison, A. M. (1988). The lessons of experience: How successful executives develop on the job. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
25.
Miller, J. G.
, & Wheeler, K. G. (1992). Unraveling the mysteries of gender differences in intentions to leave the organization. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 13, 465-478.
26.
Morrison, A. M.
, & Von Glinow, M. A. (1990). Women and minorities in management. American Psychologist, 45, 200-208.
27.
Noe, R. A.
(1988). Women and mentoring: A review and research agenda. Academy of Management Review, 13, 65-78.
28.
Ohlott, P. J.
, Ruderman, M. N., & McCauley, C. D. (1994). Gender differences in managers' developmental experiences. Academy of Management Journal, 37, 48-67.
29.
Pfeffer, J.
(1983). Organizational Demography. Research in Organizational Behavior, 5, 299-357.
30.
Powell, G.
(1990). One more time: Do female and male managers differ?Academy of Management Executive, 4(3), 68-75.
31.
Powell, G.
, & Butterfield, D. A. (1994). Investigating the "glass ceiling" phenomenon: An empirical study of actual promotions to top management. Academy of Management Journal, 37, 68-86.
32.
Ragins, B. R.
(1989). Barriers to mentoring: The female manager's dilemma. Human Relations, 42, 1-22.
33.
Ragins, B. R.
, & Cotton, J. L. (1991). Easier said than done: Gender differences in perceived barriers to gaining a mentor. Academy of Management Journal, 34, 939-951.
34.
Ragins, B. R.
, & Sundstrom, E. (1989). Gender and power in organizations: A longitudinal perspective. Psychological Bulletin, 105, 51-88.
35.
Rosen, B.
, Templeton, N. C., & Kichline, K. (1981). First few years on the job: Women in managementBusiness Horizons, 24(6), 26-29.
36.
Shore, T. H.
(1992). Subtle gender bias in the assessment of managerial potential. Sex Roles, 27, 499-515.
37.
Thomas, D. A.
(1990). The impact of race on managers' experiences of development relationships: An intra-organizational study. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 11, 479-492.
38.
Thomas, D. A.
, & Alderfer, C. (1989). The influence of race on career dynamics: Theory and research on minority career experiences. In M. B. Arthur, D. T. Hall, & B. S. Lawrence (Eds.), Handbook of career theory (pp. 133-158). New York: Cambridge University Press.
39.
Thomas, R. R.
(1991). Beyond race and gender. New York: AMACOM.
40.
Tsui, A.
, & O'Reilly, C. A. (1989). Beyond simple demographic effects: The importance of relational demography in superior-subordinate dyads. Academy of Management Journal, 32, 402-423.
41.
Turban, D. B.
, & Jones, A. (1988). Supervisor-subordinate similarity: Types, effects, and mechanisms. Journal of Applied Psychology, 73, 228-234.
42.
U. S. Department of Labor
. (1991). A report on the glass ceiling. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
43.
Whitely, W.
, Dougherty, T. W., & Dreher, G. F. (1991). Relationship of career mentoring and socioeconomic origin to managers' and professionals' early career progress. Academy of Management Journal, 34, 331-351.
