Implications of Organizational Culture for Women’s Leadership Aspirations and Experiences in Faith-Based Higher Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 19
  In Roundtable Session: Religion and Education: A Potpourri of Issues

Abstract

Disparities exist between the percentage of female students (60%) and the gender balance on senior leadership teams in the 118-member Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. Within this context, a grounded theory study involving interviews with sixteen female participants explored the question: What aspects of Christian workplaces/organizational culture affect women's employment experiences and thus possible decisions to progress in leadership? Interviews over a two-year period resulted in the identification of four categories of participant perceptions of gender climate. A model reflecting the findings identifies factors that contributed to participants remaining in their institutional setting and advancing contrasted with factors that led to others experiencing job loss or voluntary departure from the institution.

Authors

• Karen A. Longman, Azusa Pacific University

• Debbie Lamm-Bray, Northwest University

• Wendy L. Liddell, Moody Bible Institute