The evaluation of male and female managers at a local municipality in Hungary

Abstract

Purpose

The study sets out to examine how male and female managers in general and male and female municipal executives in particular are evaluated by the members of the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presented used the methodology of focus group discussion.

Findings

The results show that employees clearly had different expectations regarding the characteristics of male and female executives. The most negative image of female executives emerged in the group of men. However, even female office managers tended to mention numerous negative features of women executives, and seemed to prefer men in executive positions.

Research limitations/implications

The research involved four focus group sessions at the municipality in the autumn of 2004, consequently the research results cannot be generalised.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited number of academic literature on female executives in Hungary, and explores the deep prejudices against women in leading positions.

Citation

Nagy, B. and Vicsek, L. (2008), "The evaluation of male and female managers at a local municipality in Hungary", Gender in Management, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 36-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542410810849114