Determinants of managerial career success: Evidence and explanation of male/female differences

This study of 292 mid-career managers tested for differential effects of fo ur categories of career success determinants across the sexes. Human capita l variables were hypothesized to have stronger effects on men's objective a nd subjective components of success than on women's. The findings provided support in the cases of work experience and company tenure. In. contrast, g ender roles were hypothesized and found to have stronger effects on both co mponents of success for women. For supportive relationships including mento rs and peer networks, the effects were hypothesized and found to be stronge r for men on the objective component and the same for men and women on the subjective component. Lastly, family status variables were hypothesized to affect the objective component of success in opposite directions for men an d women, and the subjective component similarly. The findings showed no dif ferential effect of family status on either component.