Attitudes towards women managers in theUnited Arab Emirates: The effects of patriarchy, age, and sex differences

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the United Arab Emirates (UAE) society's attitudes towards women managers held by a sample of 186 participants.

Design/methodology/approach

The subjects completed the newly developed multidimensional aversion to women who work scale (MAWWWS). The study validates the scale in an Arab non‐Western context.

Findings

The results reveal that UAE students have significantly different attitudes towards women managers from those of the older generations. There are significant differences between males' and females' perceptions of women's roles and participation in society. The study predicts that modernity may diminish patriarchal attitudes towards women managers in the Arab world.

Originality/value

This study has provided some insights into the factors associated with attitudes towards women managers in the UAE. This research contributes to the literature on cross‐cultural studies by systematically assessing the attitudes towards women managers in the UAE.

Citation

Mostafa, M.M. (2005), "Attitudes towards women managers in theUnited Arab Emirates: The effects of patriarchy, age, and sex differences", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 522-540. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940510615451

Download as .RIS