What’s the fuss? Gender and academic leadership
Journal of Health Organization and Management
ISSN: 1477-7266
Article publication date: 19 September 2018
Issue publication date: 9 October 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Women continue to be disproportionately represented in top leadership positions. Leadership development programs typically focus on skills attainment. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions and experiences of academic leaders in order to inform how leadership development programs may more effectively address the gender gap in leadership.
Design/methodology/approach
A sequential mixed methods study design was used. Participants completed the Leadership Practice Inventory ®(LPI) survey followed by individual interviews of a subset of participants. The survey results were analyzed and compared by gender using the t-test. Thematic analysis was used to compare themes across and between genders. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated in the final analysis.
Findings
In total, 65 leaders (38 women; 27 men) (37.7 percent response rate) participated in the survey. There were no significant demographic or statistical differences between women and men on any of the LPI® components. Five women and five men were interviewed. Thematic analysis revealed common leadership aspirations and values. Gender differences were noted in leadership attainment, mentorship and the influence of gender on leadership. While the male narratives reflected cognitive awareness of gender inequities, the female narratives also included lived experiences. Male participants focused on the importance of meritocracy whereas the female participants emphasized the gendered social and structural influences on leadership attainment.
Practical implications
Leadership development programs need go beyond generic “skills-building” in order to conceptualize leadership within a gendered social context. This framework will enable critical awareness and tools for developing both women and men’s fullest leadership potential.
Originality/value
This study was conducted in order to better understand how academic health leaders experience the intersection of gender and leadership. The findings contribute to the current literature by providing insight into perceptual gaps that exist at the level of practice between women and men leaders. In doing so, the authors discuss how leadership development programs may play a more effective role in addressing gender equity in leadership.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank T. Tidy who assisted with the recruitment, and preparation of the survey data for analysis, E. Cheng who conducted the statistical analysis, H. Wagner who transcribed the interviews, and the study participants who generously provided their time and insights. There are no declared conflicts of interest. This study was funded by the Gender and Health Education Initiative Grant, McMaster University. Prior to the study, the authors obtained approval from the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board at McMaster University, Canada.
Citation
Wong, A., McKey, C. and Baxter, P. (2018), "What’s the fuss? Gender and academic leadership", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 32 No. 6, pp. 779-792. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-02-2018-0061
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited