Work experience and satisfaction of male and female professors in Turkey: signs of progress?

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to investigate gender differences among professors in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 243 male and 165 female professors using an anonymously completed internet based questionnaire. Measures included personal demographic and work situation characteristics, workaholism components and validating job behaviors (e.g. perfectionism) workaholism antecedents (e.g. beliefs and fears, organizational values), work and extra‐work satisfactions, and psychological well‐being.

Findings

There were considerable differences in personal demographic and work situation characteristics. Female professor were younger, more likely to be single, more likely to have fewer children, had less job and university tenure, were at lower ranks and earned less income. Female and male professors were similar on workaholic behaviors, work and extra‐work satisfaction and psychological well‐being, with one exceptions: female professors reported more psychosomatic symptoms.

Practical implications

Despite considerable demographic and work situation differences, female and male professors in Turkey report similar job behaviors, satisfactions and psychological well‐being.

Originality/value

Provides information on personal demographic and work situation characteristics among male and female academic staff in Turkey.

Citation

Koyuncu, M., Burke, R.J. and Fiksenbaum, L. (2006), "Work experience and satisfaction of male and female professors in Turkey: signs of progress?", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610150610645959