Managers' distribution of developmental experiences in the workplace

• Main Author: Kazama, Stephanie M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2005
• Subjects: Behavior; Bias; Careers; Computer simulation; Copyright; Employment; Executives; Female employees; Gender; Gender differences; Knowledge; Labor relations; Leadership; Learning; Management; Managers; Occupational psychology; Political correctness; Professional development; Qualifications; Sex discrimination; Sexism; Skills; Stereotypes; Studies; Subordinates; Supervisors; Taxonomy; Women
• ISBN: 0542037602; 9780542037603

The current research investigates the amount and quality of the developmental work experiences engaged in by male and female managers. Managers reported the extent to which they had participated in ten quantitative work experiences in the last five years, as well as how challenging these experiences were and how much feedback and support they received during these experiences. Results indicated that while male and female managers do report participating in similar amounts of developmental experiences, male managers report engaging in more qualitatively challenging experiences than female managers. This finding suggests there may be subtle differences in the distribution of developmental work experiences. Further exploratory analyses indicate that female managers report having more supervisor influence in the choice of their developmental work experiences than do male managers, and receive less negative feedback than do male managers. Theoretical and practical considerations of these findings will be addressed.