Personal and Organizational Predictors of Women's and Men's Managerial Aspirations

The aim of this study was to examine prediction of managerial aspirations by personal and organizational factors compatible with and fostering advancement, and differences in explanation for male and female employees. Analysis of questionnaire data from 4859 fulltime Australian employees (2534 men, 2325 women) of five hierarchical levels revealed managerial aspirations were explained both by personal factors of masculinity, self-esteem, education and age and by organizational factors of plateauing, specified promotion ladders, and mentor psychosocial support. Men's and women's managerial aspirations were similarly explained. However, women's aspirations appeared more subject to influence at nonsupervisor/nonmanager level than men's, and were lower than men's.