Gender based difference in managerial styles

Executive Summary

This report looks at several researches that have studied the managerial styles of males and females with an attempt to define perceived differences between them. In addition discussed are the results from studies on the effectiveness of managers between the two genders. The results of these studies have been analyzed through readings of several researches and personal experiences of the students doing this report.

Studies say both genders are at least equally effective in the business world and that success is affected by diverse individual factors and has very less to do with gender. Commonly held perceptions of males being more effective managers are not only a loss to the female manager, but a loss to the organization and society as a whole.

A note on the report writers

The team consists of six members – five males and one female. The gents are in Executive positions with at least four years of full-time work experience and the lady a middle level manager with a total of 10 years in the corporate world out of which five have been in a management position. Although cultural issues are out of the scope of this assignment, the ethnicity of the members is thought to be relevant. All group members are from the Indian sub-continent, except one member who is a Middle Eastern male. All members work experience have been derived in the UAE and most members have been in the country for at least six years.

Snap-shots of the brainstorming session

Researches Used
Extensive researches have been conducted on the topic of gender-based difference in managerial styles. All members prior to commencing of the session have thoroughly read these. An example of one of the researches used has been attached in the appendix and outlined below:

Management Research Group (MRG) has conducted a study on gender differences and leadership that claims to have eliminated key shortcomings that other such researches have, such as small number of participants, reliance on self-reports, use of inappropriate subjects, uncontrolled differences etc. This research claims to be the largest controlled study of gender differences in leadership style with data compiled over 15 years. Further details of this research participants and form of research can be found in the research report in the appendix section.

Discussion between the team members
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Eagly, A. H., & Johnson, B. T., 1990 Gender and leadership style: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, p: 108, 233-256.

Kabacoff R, Peters H, 1998 “The Way Women and Men Lead – Different but Equally Effective.” Management Research Group Research Report: Leadership & Gender. http://www.mrg.com/Publications/articles/The_Way_Women-Men_Lead.pdf [Accessed: November 17, 2004]

Eagly et al, “Transformational, Transactional, and Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles: A Meta-Analysis Comparing Women and Men” Psychological Bulletin http://www.ratcow.com/paf508/lazzifar_leader.html

Formichelle, L, 2001,

He Does, She Does Management styles may differ, but success isn’t gender-related.http://www.wellsfargo.com/biz/products/resources/advisor/archives/012002He/012002He.jhtml

Robbins, S. P. 2004,10th edition, Organisational Behaviour, Prentice Hall, USA.

Turner, D. H. “Gender differences in management style: Evidence from the accounting profession”, The Centre for the study of Women, Science and Technology. http://www.wst.gatech.edu/Gender_Differences_in_Management_Style.ppt [Accessed: November 14, 2004]

http://www.kon.org/archives/forum/12-1/prehl.html