Christian Magallon, Fhaiza Raza, Carla N. Saldana, and Rahul Ragu

WRITING 101, University of California, Merced

Equality of Women in a Male Dominated Workforce,

Biases a thing of the Past: Fact or Fiction

IntroductionOur main focus in this study is: bias in the

workplace concerning leadership, power, and perception.

By Definition:BiasLeadershipPower Perception

Fact or FictionMen & Women are Equal?In 2006 men held 98% of the CEO positions

in large corporations with only 2% women CEOs (Eli, 2006).

MethodologyOur research was obtained through many

searches on the University of California, Merced’s library data base. Over 278 studies preceded using key descriptive words: women, power, perceptions, gender bias, sexual discrimination and leadership.

Leadership & PowerCharacteristics more male oriented (Koch, Loft, and

Kruse, 2005).

Men perceive appropriate characteristics to male oriented (Brenner , Tomkiewicz and Schein, 1989).

Employers prefer masculine gender characteristics to feminine characteristics (Goktepe & Craig, 1989).

Leadership & Power contd.Idea of an accepted gender bias

This lack of stimuli results in a reduction in chances of women to take on a leadership role (Carbonell & Castro, 2008).

Intimidation and feeling of doubt or inadequacy

Leadership & Power contd.Occupational Climate (Katz, 1987).

Applied pressures

People follow trends

PerceptionsTop down (Trentham, & Larwood 1998)

Manager’s qualities (Prime, Jonsen,Carter, & Maznevski 2008)

Management ratings (Shore 1992)

Perceptions contd.Gender role (Wolf, & Flingstein 2009)

Gender qualities (Johanson 2008)

Past/future measures (Tougas, & Beaton 1993)

Best Perceived Candidate (Haslam & Ryan, 2008)

ConclusionDespite the belief that men and women are equal,

statistics and research show otherwise.Shows that biases contribute to perceptions of

leadership, and power that keep men and women from reaching equality.

The extensive data collection through research are FACTS not FICTION. However, results of studies and interpretation

are subject to biases.

LimitationsBiased interpretations of results of

supporting research articles.Biased interpretations of results of

supporting research articles.False belief in glass ceiling hypothesis.Women who are surveyed will give socially

acceptable answers.Organizations may not want to be studied.

Future Studies & ImplicationsStudies today focus only on negative

stereotypes (Hoyt & Blalscovich, 2007).

New research should include: early intervention, mentoring, programs to increase early exposure and support for effected individuals

Leadership developmentImproving the situation at the lower levels of

hierarchies

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