Addressing Gender Issues in Management Education: An Australian Initiative

Abstract

In 1992 the Australian Federal Government established an Industry Task Force on Leadership and Management Skills to make recommendations for improving the skills of managers. The task force commissioned the production of a core MBA curriculum unit on Effective Organizations: Gender Issues in Management. Although gender stereotyping has not traditionally been considered as a strategic business issue within MBA programmes, this topic was considered a critical component of the development of leadership and management skills, and a fundamental element in the drive towards greater organizational effectiveness. In developing the unit, the researchers identified both a reluctance and lack of preparedness on the part of both academics and industry management to deal with these issues. The resulting package therefore recognizes the sensitivities associated with the subject, and the difficulties of addressing gender issues in management. It also offers a range of delivery options, and has potential for uptake in countries other than Australia. Briefly describes the origins, focus and content of the package produced for the task force in 1994, and discusses the implications of the material for the career development of women managers.

Citation

Smith, C. and Hutchinson, J. (1994), "Addressing Gender Issues in Management Education: An Australian Initiative", Women in Management Review, Vol. 9 No. 7, pp. 29-33. https://doi.org/10.1108/09649429410070249