Effects of Gender on Professional Encroachment in Public Relations

Abstract

Using a systematic sample of 166 public relations practitioners in the United States, this study tests a model that explains the effects of gender on professional encroachment, which is the assignment of non-public relations professionals as top public relations managers. Organizations in which the top public relations practitioner is a woman are likely to have higher levels of encroachment than organizations where the top practitioner is male. Women are less likely to have worked long enough to obtain the skills and perspectives of management.