The effects of proportional representation and gender orientation of the task on emergent leadership behavior in mixed-gender work groups

Much of the research that has examined the behavioral consequences of membe rship in mixed-gender work groups suggests that men are more participative and influential in task-related behavior. Drawing from elements of sociolog ical, structural, and psychological perspectives, this study examined the e ffects of group gender composition and gender orientation of the group's ta sk on patterns of emergent leadership behavior. Participants were assigned to male-dominated, female-dominated, or balanced-gender groups for the purp ose of discussing and generating solutions for two business-related cases-e ach case emphasized either male-oriented or female-oriented expertise. The findings suggest that the proportional representation of men and women in a work group, along with the gender orientation of the group's task, can sig nificantly influence the level of leadership behavior exhibited in group ac tivity.