Then And Now: A Longitudinal Study Of Attitudes Toward Women As Managers

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a longitudinal study comparing the attitudes of business undergraduate students toward women as managers.  Survey results from 1981, 2000, and 2010 are compared.  For all three time periods, females report significantly more positive attitudes toward women as managers than males.  Comparing the same sex survey groups, the females of 2000 are significantly more positive toward women as managers than their 1981 counterparts.  There is no difference in attitudes when the results from 2000 and 2010 are compared.  The attitudes of the males in 2000 are not significantly different from their 1981 comparison group.  However, a significant difference in attitudes is found when the results from 2000 and 2010 are compared.